If there are microbes on mars, they are probably very hardy, adaptable and difficult to eradicate. They can probably survive much better on earth than earth microbe life can survive on Mars. I bet they would give earth's biosphere a run for its money in long-term survival. Also, although they probably won't have the ability to infect earth life now, it's unclear how fast they can evolve the ability to infect earth life once there is extensive opportunity for them to come into contact with earth life. I would think once we start to make return journy's from Mars, it's only a matter of time before Martian microbes are released into the environment on earth. Then the evolutionary battle will begin.
If there are shown to be Martian microbe, I think we definitely should spend quite a considerable amount of effort to understand how many varieties there are, and how their biochemistry, metabolism, reproduction, and genetic system works.
If there are shown to be Martian microbe, I think we definitely should spend quite a considerable amount of effort to understand how many varieties there are, and how their biochemistry, metabolism, reproduction, and genetic system works.
