Astrobioethical reflections on humanity and its consideration as multi- and interplanetary

Abstract

We discuss in the context of astrobiology three aspects of the possible evolution of humanity. In addition, from astrobioethics -the study of the moral implications in astrobiology- we ask whether it is necessary to develop new concepts. Thus, it is concluded that we have already started our transition towards an interplanetary humanity; that our actions in the face of the discovery of extraterrestrial life will depend on the context in which we find ourselves; and that it is important to develop new and updated concepts for the scenarios to be faced by the eventual evolution of humanity in space.