Donâ??t call the aliens,they might not be friendly

[Flashermac]

FOR decades it has been a staple of science fiction - somewhere out in the galaxy, a highly developed alien race picks up a radio signal from Earth, and decides to eat us for lunch.

 

In a world plagued by war, hunger and disease, a possible attack by little green men may not rank high among most nationsâ?? concerns. Yet for a small group of scientists who are harnessing increasingly powerful technologies in a trans-galactic search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, the prospect of catastrophe has stirred an angry debate.

 

Two senior scientists have resigned from an elite international study group in protest over a lack of public discussion about the possible consequences of attracting the attention of aliens by sending signals deep into space.

 

â??Weâ??re talking about initiating communication with other civilisations, but we know nothing of their goals, capabilities or intent,â? warned John Billingham, a former Nasa scientist who has quit an extraterrestrial study group set up by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

 

Tastes like chicken!