Editing Gregory Benford (section)

== Contributions to science and speculative science ==
[[File:Greg Benford Eaton 2008-05-17.png|thumb|Gregory Benford, 2008]]
Gregory Benford is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the [[University of California, Irvine]].  With more than 200 scientific publications, his research encompassed both theory and experiments in the fields of astrophysics and plasma physics. His research has been supported by [[National Science Foundation|NSF]], [[NASA]], [[AFOSR]], [[Department of Energy (United States)|DOE]] and other agencies. He is an ongoing{{when|date=February 2019}} advisor to NASA, [[DARPA]] (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and the [[CIA]].

Benford's work in physics at the University of California focused on theoretical and experimental [[plasma physics]], including studies of extremely strong turbulence, particularly in astrophysical contexts, and studies of magnetic structures from the [[Galactic Center]] to large-scale [[galactic jets]].  Working in collaboration with, among others, science fiction writers [[John G. Cramer|Cramer]], [[Robert L. Forward|Forward]], and [[Geoffrey A. Landis|Landis]], Benford worked on a theoretical study of the physics of [[wormhole]]s, which pointed out that wormholes, if formed in the early universe, could still exist in the present day if they were wrapped in a [[Negative mass|negative-mass]] [[cosmic string]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Cramer | first1 = J. G. | last2 = Forward | first2 = R. W. | last3 = Morris | first3 = M. S. | last4 = Visser | first4 = M. | last5 = Benford | first5 = G. | last6 = Landis | first6 = G. A. | year = 1995 | title = Natural Wormholes as Gravitational Lenses | arxiv = astro-ph/9409051 | journal = Physical Review D | volume = 51 | issue = 6 | pages = 3117–3120 | doi=10.1103/PhysRevD.51.3117| bibcode = 1995PhRvD..51.3117C | pmid = 10018782 | s2cid = 42837620 }} The [http://www.geoffreylandis.com/wormholes.htp press release] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415100921/http://www.geoffreylandis.com/wormholes.htp |date=2012-04-15 }} on the paper can be found on Landis' website.</ref>  Such wormholes could potentially be detected by [[gravitational lens]]ing.

In 2004, Benford proposed that the harmful effects of [[global warming]] could be reduced by the construction of a rotating [[Fresnel lens]] 1,000 kilometres across, floating in space at the [[Lagrangian point]] L1. According to Benford, this lens would diffuse the light from the Sun and reduce the [[Insolation|solar energy]] reaching the Earth by approximately 0.5% to 1%. He estimated that this would cost around US$10 billion. His plan has been commented on in a variety of forums.<ref>See [http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/4/7/41932/19363 Russell Dovey, "Supervillainy: Astroengineering Global Warming] and [http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=370 Bill Christensen, "Reduce Global Warming by Blocking Sunlight"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417153949/http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=370 |date=2009-04-17 }}. Also see [[Solar radiation management#Dispersive solutions|Solar radiation management§Dispersive solutions]].</ref> A similar [[space sunshade]] was proposed in 1989 by [[J. T. Early]],<ref>See footnote 23 in [http://www.llnl.gov/global-warm/231636.pdf E. Teller, L. Wood, and R. Hyde, "Global Warming and Ice Ages: Prospects for Physics-Based Modulation of Global Change"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616114711/http://www.llnl.gov/global-warm/231636.pdf |date=2007-06-16 }}.</ref> and again in 1997 by [[Edward Teller]], [[Lowell Wood]], and [[Roderick Hyde]].<ref>[http://www.llnl.gov/global-warm/231636.pdf E. Teller, L. Wood, and R. Hyde, "Global Warming and Ice Ages: Prospects for Physics-Based Modulation of Global Change"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616114711/http://www.llnl.gov/global-warm/231636.pdf |date=2007-06-16 }}.</ref> In 2006, Benford pointed out one possible danger in this approach: if this lens were built and global warming were avoided, there would be less incentive to reduce greenhouse gases, and humans might continue to produce too much carbon dioxide until it caused some other environmental catastrophe, such as a [[Ocean acidification|chemical change in ocean water]] that could be disastrous to [[Marine biology|ocean life]].<ref>Comments at the [[64th World Science Fiction Convention]], August 2006.</ref>

Benford serves on the board of directors and the steering committee of the [[Mars Society]].

He has advocated human [[cryopreservation]], for example by signing an open letter to support research into [[cryonics]],<ref>{{cite web| title = Scientists Open Letter on Cryonics| url = http://www.evidencebasedcryonics.org/scientists-open-letter-on-cryonics/| access-date = 2016-02-02| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160826092700/http://www.evidencebasedcryonics.org/scientists-open-letter-on-cryonics/| archive-date = 2016-08-26| url-status = dead}}</ref> being a member of [[Alcor Life Extension Foundation|Alcor]],<ref>{{cite web| title = Alcor Member Profile: Gregory Benford| url = http://alcor.org/profiles/benford.html| access-date = 2016-02-02}}</ref> and by being an advisor to a UK cryonics and cryopreservation advocacy group.<ref>{{cite web| title = UK Cryonics and Cryopreservation Research Network| url = http://www.cryonics-research.org.uk/about-us.html| access-date = 2016-02-02}}</ref>

Gregory Benford retired from the University of California in 2006 in order to found and develop [[Genescient Corporation]]. Genescient is a new generation biotechnology company that claims to combine evolutionary genomics with massive selective screening to analyze and exploit the genetics of model animal and human whole genomes.