Solutions to prolonged space travel

[JoeRoccoCassara]

Could genetic engineering solve the problems astronauts face in space, such as loss of bone density, irregular sleeping patterns, nausea, and disorientation?

[Boerseun]

Possibly, possibly not.

 

Seeing as there's no way for genetic engineering to alter the conditions and risks experienced by space travellers, the best we can hope for in that regard is that genetic engineering might just make space travellers more tolerant for the conditions. I think that will be perfectly possible.

[Kayra]

I personally believe that the ONLY long term (lifetime for example) solution is genetic manipulation to ensure adaptation.

 

Bone loss, muscle atrophy, radiation tolerance. All are being met with current research projects. The big problem is that we do not yet understand the long term consequences of making such genetic modifications.

 

I also believe that all genetic modifications should not be inheritable (not affect egg or sperm) to ensure that we remain reasonably human as a race.