Comments on: Bacteria digest toxic metals http://kjbishop.net/2009/03/28/bacteria-digest-toxic-metals.html K.J. Bishop's home on the web Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:15:42 +0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: kjbishop http://kjbishop.net/2009/03/28/bacteria-digest-toxic-metals.html/comment-page-1#comment-20717 kjbishop Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:19:44 +0000 http://kjbishop.net/?p=1920#comment-20717 I adore Water Bears. I'd like a big plushy one =). I almost agree that saving the planet is about our own survival. I mean, it is, basically, but it's also obviously about our mental wellbeing. We might be able to survive in bunkers in a barren wasteland, but how happy would we be without greenery and wildlife for us to enjoy and be inspired by? (Let's hope that uninspiring mite didn't hold the cure to cancer in its genome.) In the very long term, though, it might be about more than us. If we were to allow, say, orangutans to go extinct, we'd be cutting off a potential avenue for the evolution of consciousness, which would be a pity (if the idea of the extinction of consciousness in the world gives you a horrid feeling, anyway). I adore Water Bears. I’d like a big plushy one =). I almost agree that saving the planet is about our own survival. I mean, it is, basically, but it’s also obviously about our mental wellbeing. We might be able to survive in bunkers in a barren wasteland, but how happy would we be without greenery and wildlife for us to enjoy and be inspired by? (Let’s hope that uninspiring mite didn’t hold the cure to cancer in its genome.)
In the very long term, though, it might be about more than us. If we were to allow, say, orangutans to go extinct, we’d be cutting off a potential avenue for the evolution of consciousness, which would be a pity (if the idea of the extinction of consciousness in the world gives you a horrid feeling, anyway).

]]> By: Caitlyn http://kjbishop.net/2009/03/28/bacteria-digest-toxic-metals.html/comment-page-1#comment-20716 Caitlyn Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:08:16 +0000 http://kjbishop.net/?p=1920#comment-20716 This reminded me of an article I read in 'Australasian Scientist', which made a brief reference to Deinococcus radiodurans, which has been nicknamed 'Conan the Bacterium' given that it appears to be all but indestructible. It is the height of human conceit to regard ourselves as being at the pinnacle of evolution. We can die if we stay out in the sun too long, or go a measly three days without water. So called 'primitive' organisms like Conan the Bacterium or any species of Tardigrades (Water Bear) can survive thousands of times the radiation that would kill a weak, pathetic human, let alone mere dehydration or a little UV light. Hell, they've even survived space! Ultimately, the conservation effort is not about saving the planet, it's about our own survival even though many people don't see it this way and indeed, can make well-meaning but serious mistakes. I remember reading about the California condor conservation programme some time ago. When the 22 birds that formed the conservation programme were captured from the wild, they were each treated for parasites. The mite that dropped from their feathers has never been recorded in another living species, before or since. In order to save the Californian condor another species was exterminated and no one gave it a second thought. It was only a mite after all. This reminded me of an article I read in ‘Australasian Scientist’, which made a brief reference to Deinococcus radiodurans, which has been nicknamed ‘Conan the Bacterium’ given that it appears to be all but indestructible.

It is the height of human conceit to regard ourselves as being at the pinnacle of evolution. We can die if we stay out in the sun too long, or go a measly three days without water. So called ‘primitive’ organisms like Conan the Bacterium or any species of Tardigrades (Water Bear) can survive thousands of times the radiation that would kill a weak, pathetic human, let alone mere dehydration or a little UV light. Hell, they’ve even survived space!

Ultimately, the conservation effort is not about saving the planet, it’s about our own survival even though many people don’t see it this way and indeed, can make well-meaning but serious mistakes. I remember reading about the California condor conservation programme some time ago. When the 22 birds that formed the conservation programme were captured from the wild, they were each treated for parasites. The mite that dropped from their feathers has never been recorded in another living species, before or since. In order to save the Californian condor another species was exterminated and no one gave it a second thought. It was only a mite after all.

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