Scientists skeptical of meteorite alien life claim

[Ghost in the Machine]

Scientists skeptical of meteorite alien life claim
By SETH BORENSTEIN
AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The gaps and stringy fibers in these space rocks sure look like bacteria, and a NASA researcher has caused a stir with claims that they're fossils of alien life. But as NASA found 15 years ago, looks can be deceiving.

Top scientists in different disciplines immediately found pitfalls in a newly published examination of three meteorites that went viral on the Internet over the weekend. NASA and its top scientists disavowed the work by noon Monday.

Biologists said just because it looks as though the holes were made by bacteria doesn't make them fossils of extraterrestrial microbes. The meteorites could be riddled with Earthly contamination. And both astronomers and biologists complained that the study was not truly reviewed by peers.

There are questions about the credentials of the study's author, Richard Hoover. And the work appeared in an online journal that raises eyebrows because even its editor acknowledges it may have to shut down in June and that one reason for publishing the controversial claim was to help find a buyer.

"There's a lot of stuff there, but not a lot of science," said Rosie Redfield, a microbiologist at the University of British Columbia, who publicly dissected the paper over the weekend. "I looked at it and shuddered."

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14201527

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. Kick

[mrs_p]

2. another k & r

It's just silly that, even here on DU, folks don't want to believe scientists. Instead, any skepticism shown by us is because we can't handle the "truth." WHEN there is real evidence/data of alien life forms, it will be fast tracked in a top tier journal and peer-reviewed - not posted on a sketchy web-blog.

[Ghost in the Machine]

3. Thank you... n/t

[and-justice-for-all]

4. Regardless if it is in that particular rock or not...

one or more of the elements which are intrical to the beginings of anywhere, comes from space. The planet seeding theory is correct.