Can We ‘CRISPR’ Humans For Space Exploration?
We are not made for space exploration, but can we remake ourselves to make it less difficult?
Not made for space
All life (as we know it) has evolved on a planet cuddled by an atmosphere.
Planet equals gravity. Atmosphere equals protection against DNA-scrambling radiation blasts from space. Hence, our bodies tend to like the pull of gravity (in moderation, of course), and dislike excess exposure to radiation.
In contrast, space, that awe-inspiring void between the stars, is a realm with little gravity and lots of radiation.
Sure, there are some critters that seem able to cope with at least a brief sojourn in space, but enduring is not exactly thriving. Carbon-based, DNA-encoded life simply isn’t fit for space. This means that we can’t venture out into space without massive amounts of protection. Even with all the physical barriers, drugs, and exercise regimes, long retreats into space — even low earth orbit, which isn’t exactly deep space — are not beneficial for our health.
With the exception of far future (science fiction) scenarios, we’ll probably never become free living space-faring creatures. But, can we fiddle slightly with our biology to mitigate some of the…
