Space science is often lauded for its ability to inspire future generations.

That inspiration can

cut both ways: how humans act in taking these steps into the cosmos will set precedents that
subsequent generations will either follow or must undo. The question is not only how to make
technical progress but whether we should.

When mining for minerals and metals the global economy is at a huge risk of mining in outer
space. While essential resources and minerals on Earth are also slowly declining, they will
likely not deplete soon. Transportation of metals from space would therefore not substitute
depleted resources but could intern cause an oversaturation of certain resources. This would
then lead to a price drop of metals that are sourced from space. And
a reduction in price of rare metals such as rhodium, platinum, or gold may change the value
of existing reserves on Earth.
And secondly

The amount of wealth required to pursue an asteroid mining venture is concentrated in the
hands of a very small number of people. Large disparities exist between those able to take
advantage of the resources and those most at risk of harm by exploitation. It also seems
possible, if not likely, that the earliest successes in asteroid mining will be the only successes.
Competition with established companies will be an additional barrier, and a monopoly or
cartel may develop.

Asteroid resources are unlikely to harbour life, meanwhile the only planetary body with
known life in the Solar System, Earth, continues to be exploited.