When considering human settlements on the moonMars and beyond, much attention is paid to travel times, food and radiation risks. We will undoubtedly face a harsh environment in deep space, and some thinkers have pointed to genome editing as a way to ensure that humans can tolerate the harsh conditions as they venture further into space. solar system.
In January I was lucky enough to have a long awaited debate between astronomer royal Mr. Martin Rees And Mars advocate of exploration Dr. Robert Zubrin The event at the British Interplanetary Society focused on the question of whether Mars exploration should be carried out by humans or robots.
In a recent book called "The End of Astronauts" Lord Rees and co-author Donald Goldsmith outline the benefits of exploring the solar system using robotic spacecraft and vehicles, without the cost and risk of sending humans along. Dr. Zubrin is an advocate of human exploration. Where there was some agreement was in Rees's advocacy using gene editing technology to enable mankind to overcome the immense challenges associated with interplanetary existence.
Our genome is all the DNA that is present in our cells. Since 2011, we have been able to edit genomes easily and precisely. First came a molecular tool called Crispr-Cas9, which today can be used in a high school lab for very little cost and has even been used on the International Space Station Then came the techniques called base and prime editing, which allow tiny changes to be made to the genome of any living organism.
Related: Colonizing Mars may require humanity to modify its DNA
The potential applications of gene editing to help us travel further are nearly limitless. One of the most problematic hazards astronauts face in deep space is increased doses of radiation, which can wreak havoc on many processes in the body and increase the risk of cancer in the long term.
Perhaps we can use genome editing to introduce genes into people from plants And bacteria that can clean up radiation in the event of radioactive waste discharges and nuclear fallout. It sounds like science fiction, but eminent thinkers such as Lord Rees believe that this is the key to our progress in the solar system.
Identifying and then introducing genes into people that slow down aging and preventing cellular breakdown could also help. We could also develop crops that are resistant to the effects of exposure to radioactivity, since crews would need to grow their own food. We could also personalize medicines based on an astronaut's specific genetic makeup.
Imagine a future where the human genome is so well understood that it has become flexible through this new, personalized medicine.
Genes for extremes
Tardigrades are microscopic animals that are sometimes called "water bears." Experiments have shown that these tiny creatures can tolerate extreme temperatures, pressure, high radiation, and hunger. They can even endure the vacuum of space.
Geneticists want to understand their genome and an article published in Nature tried to discover the key genes and proteins that give the miniature creatures this extraordinary stress tolerance. If we could introduce some of the genes involved into crops, could we make them tolerant to the highest levels of radiation and environmental stress? It is worth investigating.
Even more interesting is whether inserting tardigrade genes into our own genome could make us more resilient to the harsh conditions of space. Scientists have already shown that human cells in the laboratory developed a greater tolerance to X-rays when tardigrade genes were introduced into them.
Transferring genes from tardigrades is just a speculative example of how we can make humans and crops better suited to room trip.
We need a lot more research if scientists are ever to get to this stage. In the past, however, various governments have imposed severe restrictions on how genome editing is used, as well as other technologies for inserting genes from one species into another.
Germany And Canada are among the most cautious groups, but elsewhere restrictions appear to be easing.
In November 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced that he created the first gene-edited babies He had inserted a gene into the unborn twins that confers resistance to HIV infection.
The scientist was subsequently imprisoned But he has now been released and is allowed to conduct research again.
In the new space race Some countries may go so far with genome editing that other countries, especially in the West where restrictions are already severe, may not. Whoever wins, he or she will reap enormous scientific and economic benefits.
If Rees and the other futurists are right, this field has the potential to further our expansion into the cosmos. But society will have to agree to it.
There will likely be resistance, due to the deep-seated fear of changing the human species forever. And now that base and prime editing have improved the precision of targeted gene editing, it's clear that the technology is moving faster than the conversation.
It is likely that one country or another will take the plunge, while others will retreat from the brink. Only then will we discover how viable these ideas really are. Until then, we can only speculate with curiosity, and perhaps excitement.