Human Procreation in Space Could Be Dangerous

You may want to reconsider getting pregnant (or impregnating someone) while in space. Low or zero gravity may impair the development of healthy embryos:

Microgravity apparently tampers with stem cells, which all other cells originate from. Stem cells normally act as a repair system for the body by replenishing its tissues.[...]

After this experiment, the cells showed vast differences on the molecular level, with 64 percent of their proteins differing from those grown under normal gravity. Specifically, these microgravity-exposed cells generated more proteins that degrade bone and fewer proteins with antioxidant effects. Antioxidants protect against reactive oxidants that can damage DNA.


Link via io9 | Photo: NASA

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Actually there is an easy solution - artificial gravity can be made by spinning a spacecraft. It is simple, and needed on very long flights. Next problem?
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