to penetrate deep into realms where scientists seldom explore,
NASA biophysicist Tore Straume [profile] (Ames Research Center),
radiation expert and particle physicist Steve Blattnig (Langley
Research Center), and Cary Zeitlin [profile] (Lawrence Berkley
National Laboratory), explored the logistics of sex and
procreation in space. Their conclusions? It would be hard --
very hard. Would-be space colonists looking to procreate in
space would have it very rough, according to the report. One of
the biggest dangers would be from The high-energy protons
encountered in deep space could harm male sperm. They would also
likely sterilize any human fetuses conceived in space. The
embryo would likely die during the second half of the pregnancy
from The only solution would be to adopt better protection, but
mankind doesn't currently have a sufficient technology. States
Dr. Straume, "The present shielding capabilities would probably
preclude having a pregnancy transited to Mars." An even greater
danger would be solar flare