Biosphere II, a domed glass and steel Garden of Eden in the foothills of Arizona's Santa Catalina range, will begin an experiment on Thursday in a biological maze where plants will recycle human wastes and turn them into the sustenance of life--air, food, and water. The project is part of a larger effort to create what scientists call "closed ecosystems" that can sustain life without any outside help. There is a great deal of skepticism about the credibility and usefulness of the experiment. Biosphere officials counter by pointing to 50 design patents in the works. And if they survive two years, what will Biospherians learn, other than how to live in a gigantic terrarium? They also claim it is a business-- Arizona's second largest tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.
Biosphere II, a domed glass and steel Garden of Eden in the foothills of Arizona's Santa Catalina range, will begin an experiment on Thursday in a biological maze where plants will recycle human wastes and turn them into the sustenance of life--air, food, and water. The project is part of a larger effort to create what scientists call "closed ecosystems" that can sustain life without any outside help. There is a great deal of skepticism about the credibility and usefulness of the experiment. Biosphere officials counter by pointing to 50 design patents in the works. They also claim it is a business-- Arizona's second largest tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.