I’m sure that in the film “Jurassic Park,” park owner/operator John Hammond meant well. How could he not? He was giving a species that had been wiped from the planet another chance at life.

Toward the outset of the film, he begs for appreciation from paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, who says: “The world is changing so fast and we’re all rushing to keep up. Now, look. Dinosaur and man … two species separated by 65 million years of evolution, have suddenly been put into the fray together. How can we possibly have the slightest idea of what to expect?”

In the film, Hammond’s dream was made a reality before he had even considered the consequences. He had no idea of the disaster it would cause for his visitors.

While we are not replicating dinosaurs (though I’m sure the attempt has been made), we are making some pretty big leaps when it comes to one of the biggest business enterprises of the 20th and 21st centuries. I’m talking, of course, about space tourism.

Is NASA getting ahead of itself? This question comes in hindsight of the Columbia tragedy last year. Even the most educated professionals – and this includes both the crew and the scientists on the ground – encounter problems. What are the implications, then, of eventually sending ordinary people into space? Do we really want to take that risk? Surely, you wouldn’t want to send people into space who have little or no training in how to be an astronaut.

We’ve all encountered the “joys” of advertising – products making claims they can’t live up to. Strategies in promoting the possibility of space tourism are anything but low-key. The notion that it is already being advertised when it isn’t even completely underway yet is a somewhat unsettling one.

And is 10 or 20 years (the length of time it will take to further develop the project) really enough time to work out all the bugs? I suppose there are dangers inherent in just about everything, but this seems like it should be more of a concern than it is.

Then there’s the price. By all means, if you’re like N*SYNC member Lance Bass, and you have $50,000 to spare – go. Broaden your horizons. In fact, surpass them altogether.

But until the Earth gets to a point where we will be required to leave (which won’t be in our lifetime – or for millions of years, for that matter), there is plenty for us to see and experience without having to pack our bags for an intergalactic journey. Scientists are already in the process of looking for other habitable planets. While they’re doing that, wouldn’t it be wiser to take a trip to Europe, perhaps – or better yet, explore the regions in your own country?

And if after you’ve traveled the breadth of our planet and are still wondering about the mysteries of space, why not make it a point to look up at the sky on a clear night? You will get a better sense of just how beautiful and massive our solar system is, surely.

And you won’t have wasted a penny.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.