Earth is 'unprepared' for alien contact, extraterrestrial experts warn

What comes after “we come in peace”?

A group of scientists dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, popularly known as SETI, announced a new campaign to establish a global approach to intergalactic relations.

Based at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, their work includes impact assessments and coordination with world leaders to draw up treatises, as well as guidelines for “responsible” science communication in the social media era, according to a university press release.

“Science fiction is awash with explorations of the impact on human society following discovery of, and even encounters with, life or intelligence elsewhere,” said Dr. John Elliott, a computer scientist and coordinator of the school’s SETI Post-Detection Hub.