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Sex on Mars is going to be risky, but it could create a new human subspecies
In a new research paper published in Futures, an international team of scientists examines the challenges of reproduction on the Martian surface. It's a risky proposition, but if humans succeed in conceiving, carrying, and birthing offspring on another world it might actually be the start of a new species.
In the paper, the researchers tackle a huge number of potential problems that could crop up when humans are finally ready to rear young on Mars. The first and most obvious hurdle is the low gravity environment, which could pose a serious threat to the conception and pregnancy processes that seem so simple here on Earth.
[...] The paper also examines the inherent challenges of bolstering the numbers of a small colony of settlers on the planet. The concept of "love" might have to take a back seat to pure survival, with men and women being paired up by their biology rather than emotion. Additionally, some individuals may never be allowed to have children due to undesirable traits that are a risk to the colony as a whole.
In a somewhat scary aside, the researchers also note that editing the genes of future Mars babies might be an easy way to increase the prospects of survival.
Also at Live Science.
Biological and social challenges of human reproduction in a long-term Mars base (DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2018.04.006) (DX)
Related: Space colonization and suffering risks: Reassessing the "maxipok rule" (DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2018.04.008) (DX)
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Thursday May 31 2018, @09:40PM (3 children)
There are some radical feminist types, like Valerie Solanas [neu.edu], in fact sometimes do treat male-ness as something to be eliminated. My solidly feminist aunt told me all about her experiences in the 1970's among womyn's conferences where she was looked down upon in part because she insisted on seeing men as potential partners rather than enemies (she's since gotten married to a very cool guy, and they've been quite happily together for decades). Someone in my social circle is a bit more moderate: She's fine with men continuing to exist, so long as they aren't in charge of anything anymore.
That's certainly not the mainstream feminist view, where what's termed toxic masculinity is the problem rather than masculinity in general, but it's not like the viewpoint doesn't exist.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday May 31 2018, @09:56PM (2 children)
Well, yes, and Westboro Baptist doesn't speak for all Christians. But somehow, if I equated all of Christianity with the WBC I'd be vilified, but it's de rigeur for a hell of a lot of men online to equate feminism as a whole with Solanas.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Thursday May 31 2018, @10:16PM (1 child)
I'll put it this way: Reading just about anything written by Gloria Steinem, or speaking with her for about 15 seconds, will quickly put to lie any notion that Solanas represents mainstream feminism.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday June 01 2018, @03:28AM
But the people who most need to know that don't even know who Steinem is, and would never read anything by her anyway on (lack of) principle. It's a paradox: the ones who most need knowledge are least likely to seek it :(
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...