Page "Search for extraterrestrial intelligence" Paragraph 59

In addition to the religious problems which may arise, Michaud ( 2006 ) and Othman ( 2011 ) speculate that extraterrestrial contact may cause problems for global foreign relations, causing global political divisiveness over the involvement of radio astronomers worldwide in post-detection processes and over which bodies represent humanity as a whole in the wake of contact, as well as how, with what content, and whether a message should be sent in reply to what has been received from extraterrestrial intelligence.

On a larger scale, Harrison ( 2000 ) has speculated that, as humanity builds relations with an extraterrestrial civilization, humanity may be given an invitation to a " Galactic Club " with numerous other civilizations.