India, Aug. 1 -- There is absolutely no procedure enshrined in international law to respond to a signal from an alien civilisation," said Martin Dominik, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews. "It makes sense to create a legally binding framework that is properly rooted in international law." Well, yes, it would make sense. But if the Bug-Eyed Monsters (BEMs) do send a message, would we really want to reply at all? BEMs, generally portrayed carrying off half-naked Earth maidens with evil intent, were a standard feature of pulp science fiction in the 1950s. We are all more sophisticated now, of course, but fear of alien contact is not necessarily irrational. The specific reason for Prof Dominik's remarks is a survey of public attitud...