Reproduction in Space Remains a Distant Prospect, Experts Say

A group of experts warns that human reproduction beyond Earth is not yet safe or well understood and calls for coordinated research and ethical oversight; existing human data from long-duration missions are limited.

Experts released a report saying humanity is not ready to support human reproduction off Earth and that planning is needed. They argue this issue matters as missions grow longer and travel farther. The report highlights gaps in evidence about how space conditions affect fertility and development. The authors call for coordinated research and shared ethical review among space agencies and industry. Key points: - Experts report that current knowledge is insufficient to ensure safe human reproduction in space. - The report identifies space-specific risks such as radiation and microgravity that can affect gametes and embryonic development. - There is limited reliable human data from long-duration missions, so many questions remain unanswered. - The authors call for a comprehensive international research framework, ethics review, and studies using simulations and non-human models. Summary: The report underscores that reproductive health presents a significant challenge for long-term human presence beyond Earth and that scientific and ethical gaps must be addressed. Experts recommend coordinated research programs and shared ethics oversight, with most planned studies relying on simulations and non-human models rather than experiments on pregnant humans.