With the Artemis program, NASA and its partners plan to land humans on the Moon again in 2025 in hopes of establishing a permanent presence on the lunar surface by the end of this decade. The Moon is but a first step in the exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Space agencies and private corporations have set their sights on Mars and beyond.
The space environment is inhospitable to humans due to, among others, radiation and microgravity. Genomic science is expected to play a key role in enabling humans to travel beyond LEO for extended periods. We identify three potential applications: (1) “Omics” can be used to select the most suitable candidates for deep-space missions and to develop personalized countermeasures. (2) Several proposed solutions to the challenges of space travel rely on genomic science. For example, hibernation technologies that are currently under development may require genomic modifications. (3) Some argue that manipulation of the human germline is a necessity for humans to become a multiplanetary species.
While the expected benefits of genomics in the context of space travel are considerable, this novel area of application requires us to rethink familiar ELSI issues. We discuss the following: (1) The use of omics in crew selection raises issues of justice. (2) The translational pathways of innovative technologies relying on genomics elicit new ethical questions (e.g., astronauts as research subjects, research versus practice). (3) The genetic engineering of astronauts requires us to reconsider the distinction between therapy and enhancement.
