In a bold move to secure biodiversity for future generations, researchers from the University of Minnesota, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and other partners nationwide, have proposed a visionary plan: to establish a repository for vital biological materials on the lunar surface. Detailed in a study published in BioScience, this lunar biorepository would utilize the moon's frigid craters for cryopreservation, thereby circumventing the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen to maintain the necessary extremely low temperatures.
John Bischof of the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering highlighted the moon's unique environmental conditions, telling BioScience, "We needed an environment where temperatures naturally remain consistently near to or below -320 degrees Fahrenheit for long-term storage of biological samples without the need for human intervention or external power." The proposed project aims not only to conserve species endangered by terrestrial threats but also to potentially support future space expeditions. Despite its forward-looking nature, the researchers are careful to point out the initiative's role as a supplementary measure to Earth-based conservation efforts, not a substitute.
The team has suggested a cooperative governance structure that invites public and private funders, scientists, international representatives, and the public to collaboratively plan and oversee the biorepository's operation. Susan Wolf, from the U of M Law School and Medical School, marked the project's ethical and governance dimensions to be as essential as the scientific and engineering challenges. She noted, "The success of a lunar biorepository requires collaborative planning to establish a public entity with acceptable operating procedures and continuing oversight," thus emphasizing the initiative's multifaceted nature.
Current research to validate the viability of the moon as a storage site has included successfully cryopreserving skin samples from the starry goby fish, now housed at the Smithsonian. Mary Hagedorn from the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute said in a statement that the intent is to help safeguard against natural disasters. However, she clarified, "We aren’t anticipating total failure on Earth — if Earth is biologically destroyed this biorepository won’t matter." This reflects a pragmatic approach, recognizing the repository's role as a protective adjunct rather than a standalone salvation for our planet's diverse life forms.
Contributions to this ambitious proposal came from a multidisciplinary team, including Pierre Comizzoli, Lynne Parenti, Robert Craddock, Paula Mabee, Bonnie Meinke, Rebecca Sandlin, Shannon Tessier, and Mehmet Toner. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, National Institutes of Health, and private donors, reflecting a broad base of institutional support for the project. This endeavor is another feather in the cap for the University of Minnesota, demonstrating its leading edge in science, law, and medical education, and its commitment to future-proofing the rich tapestry of Earth's organisms.
