Although the idea of establishing colonies among the stars continues to captivate our imagination, the science that would allow a self-sustaining human presence in space lags far behind these dreams. Researchers caution that human reproduction—the most fundamental factor for the continuity of any civilization—is one of the least understood and most perilous aspects of living beyond Earth. It is not simply a question of transporting people to Mars or creating habitats in orbit; it involves ensuring that every stage of human development, from conception through birth and growth, can proceed in a radically different environment.
Current evidence suggests that microgravity, cosmic radiation, and altered circadian cycles profoundly affect human physiology. On Earth, countless mechanisms—gravitational pull, atmospheric pressure, and complex biological feedback systems—work together to enable reproduction and healthy fetal growth. In space, each of these mechanisms behaves unpredictably. For example, the absence of gravity might interfere with the processes by which fertilized embryos implant and develop. Moreover, radiation beyond our planet’s magnetosphere could damage DNA, leading to mutations or developmental abnormalities. These are not minor uncertainties but critical scientific obstacles that we have barely begun to study in living organisms, much less in human beings.
Ethics and technology create an additional web of complexity. Conducting reproductive experiments in space raises profound moral questions about consent, the protection of potential embryos, and the mental well-being of participants. Even if technological solutions—such as artificial wombs or radiation-shielded habitats—emerge, they must be tested and refined over decades before we can guarantee safety comparable to that on Earth. Until those breakthroughs occur, the concept of children born in space remains a compelling vision for science fiction rather than a plan for the near future.
Therefore, before humanity can claim to be truly interplanetary, we must shift part of our focus from engineering marvels like rockets and habitats to the intricate biological science of life itself. Understanding how human reproduction can safely occur beyond Earth is not a peripheral curiosity; it is a prerequisite for any enduring settlement among the stars. Without this knowledge, our ventures into space will remain journeys of exploration rather than the birthplaces of new civilizations.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/were-nowhere-near-ready-to-make-babies-in-space-experts-warn-2000717455
