When we think about humans living on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, we often focus on travel times, food supply, and the risk of radiation. The challenges of deep space exploration are immense, and some experts suggest that genetic engineering could be the key to adapting humans to the harsh conditions of space.
I had the opportunity to attend a debate between astronomer royal Lord Martin Rees and Mars exploration advocate Dr. Robert Zubrin. The discussion centered around whether Mars exploration should be carried out by humans or robots. Lord Rees, in his book “The End of Astronauts,” argues for robotic exploration to reduce costs and risks, while Dr. Zubrin supports human exploration.
Both experts agree on the potential of gene editing technology to help humans overcome the challenges of becoming an interplanetary species. Our genome, which contains all the DNA in our cells, can now be accurately edited using tools like Crispr-Cas9. This technology has the potential to address issues like increased radiation exposure in deep space, which can lead to health problems like cancer.
By inserting genes from plants and bacteria into humans, we could potentially develop a defense mechanism against radiation exposure. Additionally, gene editing could be used to slow down aging, improve cellular health, and engineer crops that can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
One interesting example is the tardigrade, a microscopic animal known for its ability to survive extreme conditions like high radiation and vacuum. Scientists are studying the genes and proteins that give tardigrades this remarkable stress tolerance, with the hope of transferring these genes to crops and even humans for space travel.
While the potential of gene editing for space exploration is promising, there are ethical considerations and regulatory restrictions to navigate. Some countries, like Germany and Canada, have strict regulations on genome editing, while others, like China, have made controversial advancements in this field.
As the technology advances rapidly, there is a growing gap between scientific progress and societal dialogue on the ethical implications of gene editing. The future of space travel may depend on how different countries approach this technology and whether they are willing to take risks for scientific and economic gains.
While the idea of genetically enhancing humans for space travel raises ethical concerns, it also sparks curiosity and excitement about the possibilities of exploring the cosmos. As we continue to debate and explore the potential of gene editing in space travel, only time will tell how far we are willing to go in reshaping the human species for interplanetary adventures.