Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Scientists have proposed an ambitious plan to store DNA and live tissue samples of endangered species on the Moon, creating a biorepository as a backup in case of extinction on Earth.
The aim is to preserve biological materials from a variety of animal species. This lunar "Noah's Ark" would serve as a safeguard against catastrophic events that could threaten biodiversity on Earth.
The proposed biorepository would be situated at the Moon's north or south poles, where temperatures remain extremely cold, around -200 degrees Celsius, due to the perpetual shadow in lunar craters.
The concept was detailed in a recent article published in the *Oxford Academic journal BioScience*. The scientists suggest this lunar base as an additional safeguard alongside existing Earth-based conservation efforts.
NASA has shown interest in the Moon's poles, not only for their potential to house such a biorepository but also because the presence of ice could support the establishment of a human colony.
Organizations like Harvard and the Smithsonian are developing methods to collect and freeze samples from endangered species on Earth. The starry goby fish has been identified as the first species for this project.
Key challenges include managing high radiation levels in space and ensuring the safe transport of biological samples. The Moon's extreme cold may provide a stable environment without the need for a power source.
Existing facilities, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, are designed to withstand Earth-bound threats. However, the Moon's stable, cold environment offers a unique, long-term preservation solution.
The initial phase of the project will focus on cryopreserving animal skin samples containing fibroblast cells, providing a starting point for this unprecedented conservation initiative.