Experten machen erstaunliche Entdeckung, nachdem sie jahrtausendelang im Eis gefangene Organismen geweckt haben: „Das sind keine toten Proben“

Makes you wonder how long they could live in such a state and revive; certainly would lend credence to the theory of panspermia.

„The reason this worries scientists is that the rapid melting of permafrost unleashes the potential for microbes to release dangerous levels of polluting gases that are causing the planet to warm.“

I think this is one reason – they could also pose direct threads. But of course when permafrost is gone, the amount of bacteria released will be certainly accelerate climate change.