An expert on UFOs and all things alien-related has revealed the discussions held at a secret meeting into the effects of discovering extraterrestrial life - warning it could 'change the world forever'.
Nick Pope, 56, worked for the British Government and advised the Ministry of Defence between 1991 and 1994, spending his time investigating reports of UFO sightings and attending meetings with some of the world's biggest thinkers.
He attended two events at the Royal Society in London, a scientific community whose members have included Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, which Nick describes as 'the very heart of scientific establishment'.
There they discussed the biggest issues surrounding extra-terrestrial life, and now Nick has lifted the lid - and it turns out an alien invasion will likely be a bad thing.
What do you think about Nick's revelation? Let us know in the comments...
Nick, from California, spoke out during Blaze TV's Indistinguishable From Magic, and said: "If we find aliens, or they find us, the world will change forever.
"With all the possibilities and all the variables, how can we know what will happen or even attempt to predict what the effects will be?
"As it happens, some of the deepest thinkers on the face of the planet have had detailed discussions on these very questions. Their answers may surprise you, and yet what's most surprising of all, is how few people know these discussions have taken place.
"Don't worry, I was there."
The two meetings, held in 2010, were called 'the detection of extra-terrestrial life and the consequences for science and society', and 'towards a scientific and societal agenda on extra-terrestrial life'.
He said one of the biggest questions asked on the day was 'how would people react?'
Nick continued: "It's a question that comes up again and again, relating to disclosure, and it's cited by many as being a reason why governments might want to cover up the truth about UIFPOs, the question is this - How would people respond?
"Not our political leaders, or our greatest scientists, but everyday folk - teachers, store workers, farmers, or factory workers.
"Would there be wonder, quiet acceptance, or might there be panic in the streets?
"If we discover alien life, many people think there would be mass panic - if we faced an alien invasion as happens in science fiction movies such as Independence Day or War of the Worlds, clearly that would be true.
"Delegates of the Royal Society suggested that an announcement that extraterrestrial life had been discovered would have little effect.
"Opinion polls already show that large numbers of people believe in alien life with many being certain we're already being visited, and further belief that our political leaders aren't telling us everything that they know about UFOs.
"The bottom line is you don't shock people by telling them something they already believe."
This is good news, the announcement of extraterrestrial life shouldn't cause mass panic, but maybe it should - as Nick said the society also debated whether a visit from alien life would be a good thing or not.
He continued: "If we do find extraterrestrial life, and it's more than picking up a signal or finding alien microbes, will they be friendly like the lovable alien in ET, or will they be something like the aliens in Independence Day - coming here to exterminate us? Views at the Royal Society were split.
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"(some) attendees pointed out what's happened in our own history when a technologically advanced society has encountered a more primitive one.
"Our trying to find aliens, some believe, would be like the Aztecs seeking out the conquistadors, if the cosmic phone rings, said professor Simon Conway Morris from the University of Cambridge, don't answer.
"It's too late of course, we've been a detectable civilisation for decades as our television and radio signals have leaked out into space - any civilisation capable of threatening us is already aware of us."
Nick went on to quote Stephen Hawking, who wasn't present at the meeting but was a member of the society, as saying: "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."
UFO Week on BLAZE commences on Monday, March 28, until Sunday, April 3, featuring new UK and Free TV premieres every single night.
Indistinguishable From Magic premieres next Friday, April 1, at 11.30pm on BLAZE, available on Freeview 64, Freesat 162, Sky 164 and Virgin Media 216.
All episodes will be available on catch up services.
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