KQED's Forum Can We Really Live on Mars?
Aug 29, 2025
Join Kelly Weinersmith, a scientist from Rice University, and her husband Zach Weinersmith, a webcomic cartoonist, as they delve into the thrilling yet daunting idea of colonizing Mars. They discuss the extreme challenges humans would face, from cosmic radiation to the complexities of having babies on another planet. The conversation takes a deeper turn as they explore the sociological and ethical implications of corporate involvement and the responsibilities humanity has towards Earth while chasing the dream of life beyond our planet.
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Space Risks Exceed Rocket Problems
- Space poses many biological risks including radiation, bone/muscle loss, vision decline, and novel infections.
- Long-term reproductive and ecosystem data are largely missing, making settlement effects unpredictable.
Our Data Are Shallow And Biased
- Most human space data come from stays in low-Earth orbit where Earth's magnetosphere shields radiation.
- We lack long-term, gender-balanced data on deep-space health effects and reproduction.
Reproduction In Space Is Largely Unknown
- Pregnancy and birth in low-gravity environments are poorly understood and potentially dangerous.
- Bone loss and weakened muscles could make labor longer and riskier for mother and child.
