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What Do You Get When You Cross a Tardigrade with a Space Pioneer?
- Scientists propose editing human cells to better withstand space conditions, drawing on tardigrade genes like Dsup.
- Elsewhere, researchers consider using bacteria and microbes to produce beneficial compounds for space travelers without altering human DNA.
- The team discusses germline vs. somatic edits and the ethical questions of altering future generations.
- Mason frames space genetic engineering as an urgent endeavor given Earth's solar aging and the need to preserve life across time.
- The article notes past biotech milestones, such as recombinant DNA and gene therapy, as context for current debates.
- Experts discuss the potential for synthetic human genomes and adding artificial chromosomes as a way to enable space settlement.
- The piece highlights ethical cautions from eugenics history while acknowledging potential space ethics.
- The article mentions progress toward CRISPR-based treatments and the limitation that current edits affect somatic cells, not germline.
- The piece closes by outlining how space genetics could drive evolution and possibly divide Earth-origin and space-adapted humans.
- Overall, the Nautilus feature presents a cautious but forward-looking view on engineering biology for space.
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