SETI’s director wants to step up search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Researchers of Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) institute are discussing what message should be sent into space for searching extra-terrestrial (ET) life at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The researchers from the institute have been sending signals to outer space and exploring different ways to communicate with the aliens for more than 30 years. But now, Dr. Seth Shostak, organization's director said that its time to step up the search.

Leading astronomers, anthropologists and social scientists will gather at Dr. Shostak institute after the AAAS meeting. They will provide details for a proposal for active SETI to put to the public and politicians.

Dr. Shostak said, "Some of us at the institute are interested in 'active SETI', not just listening but broadcasting something to some nearby stars because maybe there is some chance that if you wake somebody up you'll get a response".

The institute invented the idea of involving powerful radio telescopes which send the data to nearby stars and planets to find signs of another life in this vast universe. However, there has been no sign of ET for far.

Many researchers have also cautioned about the dangers of contacting aliens. According to them, beaming messages into the universe and indicating presence could turn out to be catastrophic. They have warned them against it as no one is certain how they would react.

They said that it's very important to address the ethical and policy implications of these endeavors.

US scientist and NASA consultant David Brin has also warned that any contact with aliens would transform human destiny.

Mr. Brin believes that those in favor of active SETI have been pushing the public into sending a message without a wide and detailed discussion of what its impact could be.