http://hdl.handle.net/2022/19571 2017-06-23T19:52:22Z http://hdl.handle.net/2022/14139 A Historical Account of the Origin, Evolution, and Demise of NASA’s Oxymoronic “Astrobiology”/ The “Arsenic Monster” of Mono Lake/ and a Modest Proposal to Educate Dabblers in Microbiology Research Gest, Howard This essay presents a select Time Line for early speculations on “extraterrestrial life” and attempts to obtain experimental evidence for past or present life on the Moon and Mars. To date, there is no credible evidence for “life elsewhere,” even the simplest forms (microbes). Nevertheless, NASA continues to trumpet “astrobiology,” an oxymoron that suggests or implies that life has actually been found beyond Earth. NASA exploits the fallacious notion that the existence of terrestrial bacteria able to live under “extreme” chemical or physical conditions (“extremophiles”) provides evidence for “astrobiology.” In December 2010, NASA announced, in a massive publicity event, that their grantees isolated a bacterium from sediment mud of Mono Lake (CA) that defies basic biochemical principles of all known forms of life on Earth in that arsenic replaces phosphorus in its DNA and other P–containing essential metabolites. The so-called evidence for the “Arsenic Monster” [a presumed harbinger for “astrobiology”] has been strongly criticized and is being rigorously tested by independent investigators. These include Rosie Redfield and her collaborators who hope to submit their work to Science in early 2012. 2012-01-30T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2022/13969 History of the Origin, Evolution, and Demise of NASA’s Oxymoronic “Astrobiology” and a Modest Proposal to Educate Dabblers in Microbiology Research Gest, Howard This essay presents a select Time Line for early speculations on “extraterrestrial life” and attempts to obtain experimental evidence for past or present life on the Moon and Mars. To date, there is no credible evidence for “life elsewhere,” even the simplest forms (microbes). Nevertheless, NASA continues to trumpet “astrobiology,” an oxymoron that suggests or implies that life has actually been found beyond Earth. NASA exploits the fallacious notion that the existence of terrestrial bacteria able to live under “extreme” chemical or physical conditions (“extremophiles”) provides evidence for “astrobiology.” In December 2010, NASA announced, in a massive publicity event, that their grantees isolated a bacterium from sediment mud of Mono Lake (CA) that defies basic biochemical principles of all known forms of life on Earth in that arsenic replaces phosphorus in its DNA and other P–containing essential metabolites. The so-called evidence for the “Arsenic Monster” [a presumed harbinger for “astrobiology”] has been strongly criticized and is being rigorously tested by independent investigators. This article relates to and updates other articles by Howard Gest already in the IU ScholarWorks repository. 2011-12-12T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2022/13890 Publications of Howard Gest, 1942-2012 Gest, Howard A complete listing of Howard Gest's publications from 1942 to 2012. 2011-11-16T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2022/13428 Retrospections on a Career in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Radiochemistry and the History & Philosophy of Science Gest, Howard This retrospective memoir by Howard Gest covers highlights of his career in several experimental sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, radiochemistry) and in the history & philosophy of science. These interests developed through serendipic events and associations with several mentors who were outstanding scientists. Photographs are included and references are given to key publications. 2011-08-15T00:00:00Z