Consequences of the Discovery of Life: Some Thoughts - RW The discovery of life outside the Earth will be the single, most dramatic event in the entire history of humanity, nothing less and nothing more. For the first time we will have proof that life is not confined to a single planet in the entire Universe and that, whichever processes are responsible for its emergence and evolution, they also act in other places. The Copernican Revolution, the discovery of the off-centre position of the Solar System in the Milky Way and the relegation of our Galaxy to an insignificant corner of the Universe are all important milestones along our cosmic road. However, to know that there is life elsewhere will have a much more direct implication for ourselves than those revolutions ever had. The discovery of dormant bacteria on Mars or in a comet will be a fantastic event for scientists, but the first and unambiguous detection of intelligent signals will have a dramatic effect on all of society. It is easy to imagine what kind of confusion may arise if we do not prepare ourselves for this. I can only hope that humanity will rise to this unique situation and provide a clear and worthy response, based on the most intelligent and broadest possible consensus. May it be a serene passage into cosmic adulthood! Richard M. West - ESO astronomer