Genetronauts

SpaceX's Elon Musk has revealed plans to launch uncrewed missions to Mars in just two years, followed by crewed missions four years later. However, given SpaceX's tendency to set ambitious timelines, this schedule may face challenges in reality. Concurrently, China aims for a human mission to Mars as early as 2033, accelerating its uncrewed sample return mission by two years. The UAE also has ardent plants to create a livable community on Mars by 2117. 

The enormity of outer space poses considerable challenges to human health, encompassing risks associated with radiation exposure, the effects of microgravity, and the psychological ramifications of isolation and confinement experienced by astronauts. Prolonged exposure to radiation presents serious hazards, heightening the risk of developing cancer, neurological conditions, and damage to bodily tissues, which can result in ailments such as cataracts and gastrointestinal problems. 

To address these challenges, some bioethicists are considering radical interventions for future space travellers. They suggest using genetic editing techniques to enhance astronauts' resilience before their journeys. Speculation even extends to the possibility of a new species, ‘Homo Spatialis’. While these ideas may seem like science fiction, biotechnologies are already being developed to meet the needs of future space travellers. 

Space travel is extremely risky and sugarcoating and saying otherwise is just undermining the perilous nature of work done by astronauts. Paul Root Wolpe, a former NASA bioethicist, dramatically puts it, launching into space is basically strapping people into a giant firework and hoping for the best. 

Our bodies are well adapted to Earth's gravity, so the effects of space on the human body can be quite unusual. Fluids shift to unexpected locations, muscles weaken due to lack of use, and astronauts often experience loss of muscle mass and bone density. The psychological effects of prolonged space travel are profound, leading to weight loss, potential long-term vision issues, and emotional distress from separation from loved ones. 

While genetic interventions for space travellers are currently theoretical, bioethicist Rosario Isasi from the University of Miami suggests that they may become not just beneficial, but essential for astronaut safety in the future. She also expresses optimism about the potential of precision medicine to provide personalised treatments for individuals, potentially eliminating the need for genetic modifications altogether.

-Divyansh Jai Purohit