As we daydream about humanity’s future amongst the stars, there’s a pressing question on many minds: If we do end up living in space, will we be able to grow our families there? Thanks to a team of researchers, we’re a little closer to an answer.
From Mice to Mars: Setting the Scene
Our fantasies of exploring and inhabiting places beyond Earth aren’t just about space tourism. They also involve the idea of humans living, working, and perhaps even giving birth in space. And while astronauts have conducted countless experiments in space, there hasn’t been much clarity on whether reproduction beyond our planet is a viable idea.
Enter molecular biologist Teruhiko Wakayama and his groundbreaking experiment.
The Big Question: Can Embryos Grow in Space?
Wakayama, from the University of Yamanashi, decided to explore the possibility of mammalian embryos developing in the unfamiliar conditions of space. Why? Well, as Wakayama puts it, “There is a possibility of pregnancy during a future trip to Mars because it will take more than six months to travel there.” His goal? “To ensure we will be able to safely have children if that time comes.”
Back in 2009, Wakayama’s team discovered that while ova (eggs) could be fertilized in microgravity conditions, the next stage — the implantation of the fertilized ova — faced challenges. But reproduction is a complex process, and the team wanted to look deeper, focusing on the early stages of embryo development.
Experiment Details: Mice Embryos in Space
To conduct this experiment, the researchers first fertilized mouse embryos on Earth and developed them to the two-cell stage. These embryos were then frozen and shipped to the International Space Station (ISS) — a unique lab floating about 250 miles above Earth. Once there, astronauts thawed and cultured the embryos in a specially designed machine.
But how do we know if space had any effect? Wakayama’s team cleverly set up control groups:
- On Earth Control: Embryos cultured on our home turf.
- ISS Earth-like Control: Embryos cultured in conditions simulating Earth’s gravity but aboard the ISS.
- Microgravity Group: Embryos grown in the unique zero-gravity conditions of the ISS.
The Results: Surprises and Cautions
The survival rate of embryos in both ISS groups was lower compared to those on Earth. However, the ones that did survive in space grew normally. The team discovered that “gravity had no significant effect on the blastocyst formation and initial differentiation of mammalian embryos.” This is big news, suggesting that embryos can, in fact, develop in space — at least up to a certain point.
However, not everything is rosy in space. This experiment had its limitations. For one, development was stopped at the blastocyst stage, meaning it’s unclear how embryos would fare in the later stages of pregnancy.
Moreover, there are other concerns about space pregnancies. Past experiments have shown that space-born rodent babies face health issues, such as problems with balance and skeletal development. Plus, space radiation is a major concern — it’s way higher than on Earth and can pose risks during pregnancy.
What’s Next for Space Babies?
So, can we think about having babies in space soon? The answer is: It’s complicated.
While these findings are a big leap forward, there’s still much more to learn. From understanding the full impact of radiation to studying the complete development process in utero, there’s a lot on the research checklist.
Yet, as Wakayama and his team conclude, understanding reproduction in space is crucial as we inch closer to the space age. It’s a race against time to gather as much knowledge as possible, especially with the ISS’s operational days numbered.
Until then, we can marvel at these small steps, hopeful for what they might mean for our future among the stars.