The Red Planet and the Remaking of Humanity: What Will Life on Mars Do to Us?
The dream of becoming a multi-planetary species is rapidly gaining momentum. SpaceX’s continued success in delivering astronauts to the International Space Station, coupled with NASA’s Artemis program aiming for a lunar return, signals a recent era of space exploration. But as we move closer to establishing a permanent presence beyond Earth, a critical question arises: what will living on another world do to us?
Beyond Bones and Muscles: The Evolutionary Cost of Space
We already realize spaceflight impacts the human body. Astronauts experience muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and cardiovascular changes due to the lack of gravity. However, these are typically observed in adults on relatively short missions. The more profound implications concern the long-term effects on generations born and raised in a low-gravity environment.
Biologist Scott E. Solomon, in his new book “Becoming Martian,” argues that the descendants of spacefarers could diverge significantly from those remaining on Earth, potentially to the point of incompatibility. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a logical extension of evolutionary principles. Bones, for example, don’t just become weaker in lower gravity – they develop differently. A child growing up on Mars might not form a skeleton strong enough to withstand Earth’s gravity.
The Immune System: A Critical Barrier
Perhaps even more concerning is the impact on the immune system. On Earth, our bodies are constantly exposed to a vast array of microbes, building immunity over a lifetime. Mars, however, will have a drastically different microbial environment. A child born on Mars would lack exposure to the vast majority of Earth-based microbes, leaving them vulnerable to illnesses upon returning to Earth.
“It’s quite possible a child born and raised on Mars would get sick if they come back to Earth,” Solomon explains, “because they’d have no prior exposure to the vast majority of microbes we breathe in every day.” Developing vaccines for every potential Earth-based pathogen is a monumental, and potentially impossible, task.
Reproduction and the Future of Martian Biology
Even the seemingly fundamental process of childbirth could be radically altered. Lower gravity may weaken pelvic structures, potentially making Cesarean sections the norm. This, in turn, could lead to natural selection favoring larger heads and narrower birth canals, creating a dependence on surgical intervention for reproduction.
Cultural and Psychological Shifts
The biological changes are only part of the equation. The extreme isolation, danger, and confinement of life on Mars will undoubtedly exert significant psychological and social pressures. The compact, tightly-knit Martian communities will face unique challenges, and the knowledge that rescue is months, if not years, away will be a constant source of stress.
The Point of No Return: When Do We Become ‘Martians’?
Solomon estimates that after roughly 10 generations – around 250 years – the accumulated biological and cultural differences could render Earthlings and Martians effectively incompatible. This divergence wouldn’t be the result of deliberate genetic engineering, but rather the natural consequences of adaptation to a radically different environment.
Is Settlement Worth the Risk?
Solomon isn’t advocating against space exploration. He supports scientific missions to the Moon and Mars. However, he believes we are not yet prepared for permanent settlement. Critical questions about the long-term consequences for human biology and society remain unanswered.
Did you know?
The International Space Station has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, meaning there has been a human presence in space every day for over two decades.
FAQ: Life on Mars and Human Evolution
- Will humans physically change on Mars? Yes, prolonged exposure to lower gravity and a different environment will likely lead to significant physical adaptations over generations.
- Could Martians return to Earth? It’s possible, but increasingly unlikely as generations pass, due to potential immune system vulnerabilities and skeletal differences.
- How long before humans become a distinct species on Mars? After approximately 10 generations (around 250 years), the accumulated changes could lead to significant incompatibility with Earth-based humans.
- What is NASA doing to prepare for these challenges? NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a vehicle to de-orbit the International Space Station, demonstrating a long-term vision for space infrastructure.
The colonization of Mars presents an extraordinary opportunity, but it also demands careful consideration of the profound and potentially irreversible changes it will inflict on humanity. As we reach for the stars, we must also confront the question of what it truly means to be human, and whether we are prepared to redefine that definition on another world.
Aim for to learn more about the future of space exploration? Explore our articles on the Artemis program and the challenges of long-duration spaceflight.
