Will Children Born on Mars and the Moon be Taller, Weaker, or the Next Evolution of Humans?
Whether you like it or not, humans are going to live and thrive on the moon and Mars in our lifetime. Once humans start to adapt to these hostile space worlds, they will likely give birth to a new generation of humans outside Earth. Have you ever imagined what children born on Mars or the lunar surface would look like in the future?
You may be doubting whether it will be possible to give birth to new offspring in space. While it appears to be impossible today, more advanced space technologies will surely make it possible before 2100.
Hence, as humans advance to colonize the moon and Mars, permanent residents will likely relocate to these space worlds and start living there permanently. Elon Musk already announced his plans to build a city on the moon as soon as possible.
Once this city is completed lets say before the 2040s, some people will visit it for exploration. However, it will get to a time when more cities will be built on the moon and Mars for those willing to relocate permanently and start a new life outside Earth. The city will have hospitals, schools, markets, and other basic necessities to grow a civilization outside Earth. A city on the moon within the 2030s will trigger us to figure out how to be born and raise children outside Earth. You are about to find out how children born in space will be quite different from Children born on Earth in the future.
How Children Born on Mars and on the Moon will be quite Different
The Martian and the Lunar surfaces are quite different from those of Earth. Hence, children born and raised on these space worlds will be significantly different from those born and raised on Earth. This significant difference will exist due to differences in gravity, radiation, and enclosed environments.
Several scientific studies have concluded that children born on Mars and on the moon may have lower bone density, weaker muscles, and probably weaker immune systems. Hence, if these children ever attempt to visit Earth, they may be unable to survive.
However, scientists are suggesting that children born on Mars might survive on Earth with the support of an exoskeleton and other supportive futuristic technologies. Now, let’s explore how children born on Mars and on the moon will be quite different than those born on Earth in detail.
Physical Structure
The moon has about one-sixth (1/6 or roughly 16.6%) of Earth’s gravity, while Mars has approximately 38% of Earth’s gravity. This implies that children born on the moon and Mars will definitely grow up in an environment with less gravity than that of Earth.
Hence, these children may likely grow taller and appear more slender. However, they will have lower birth density and weaker muscle mass than those born on Earth. Hence, they will be highly fragile in Earth’s gravity.
But if humans have discovered how to power space habitats with artificial gravity similar to that of Earth, these children will be raised in an enclosed environment with Earth-like gravity. Hence, when they eventually visit Earth, they will likely feel little or no impact for change of environment.
Immune System
Since these children will be raised in an enclosed environment on Mars, their bodies might get used to diverse bacteria on Mars, making them have weaker immune systems than children born on Earth. However, future medicines and technologies may help them get an improved immune system to fight germs and bacteria outside the moon or Mars.
Cardiovascular Changes
Children born on Mars and on the moon may have a weaker heart due to lower gravity. Their hearts will not have to work hard enough to pump blood against the weaker gravity of the moon and Mars. Hence, these children will struggle to adapt to Earth if they ever visit.
Radiation Protection
Since the moon and Mars do not have the type of natural radiation protection that Earth has, children born in these space worlds will require an advanced level of radiation protection to survive. Those born on Mars specifically might have to develop higher levels of carotenoids to adapt to the higher radiation of the Martian surface. Hence, their skin may likely turn to an orange hue, making them appear quite unique and different.
Physiological Adaptation
Since there is no oxygen on the moon and Mars, children born on these worlds will solely rely on oxygen provided by advanced technologies. Scientists suggest that they may have more efficient oxygen intake and altered metabolism due to the way oxygen is provided to them.
Long-Term Evolution
Since children born outside Earth will struggle to adapt to Earth’s gravity and environment, they may slowly establish a permanent presence on the moon and Mars. Hence, over generations, these differences could potentially lead to a distinct human subspecies. Do you think we will be able to bear children on Mars and on the moon in our lifetime?