BIG QUESTION TIME: IS THERE ALIEN LIFE? PART 1

Six scientists. One BIG question.
And this is one of the biggest there is…because it strikes at the heart of who and what we are, what we believe about the universe and our place in it.
To be completely alone is a troubling prospect.
To have company is equally thought provoking, especially if the company turns out to be undesirable.
So...
Is there alien life?
Big Question Time would like to give many thanks to:
Prof Matthew Cobb
Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan
Prof Danielle George
Prof David Kirby
Prof Sheena Cruickshank
Alastair Reynolds