Space: how a few days are enough to transform the DNA of astronauts

© Ann Danilina/Unsplash

In addition to the physical effects already well documented, space stays, even of very short duration, cause profound modifications to the DNA of astronauts. Several studies have demonstrated that fairly significant genetic transformations could take place after just a few days outside the gravitational field of our planet.

Rapid and unexpected genetic changes

The effects of prolonged stays in space on the health of astronauts are well known, in particular regarding loss of bone mass and visual disturbances. However, the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) project has revealed that even short-term missions can result in significant genetic changes.

Eliah Overbey, researcher at the University of Austin, underlines the extent of these changes: “ Even though they were only up there for three days, we were actually able to see quite a dramatic effect ”. This study relied on data collected during various space missions, including those of Axiom Space and SpaceX's Inspiration4, as well as those carried out by NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The discoveries are striking to say the least: telomeres, these protective ends of chromosomes, lengthen during the stay in orbit. Although they return to their original size after returning to Earth, like other molecular changes that gradually fade, these modifications are not without risk. Overbey warns that some cancers exploit telomere lengthening to proliferate, making these observations particularly worrying for the long-term health of astronauts.

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Space tourism: insufficient preparation?

The rigorous medical protocol applied to experienced astronauts does not seem to concern billionaires wishing to pay for stays in orbit. Dana Tulodziecki, professor of philosophy of science at Purdue University, makes a pretty apt point about this: “ To climb Mount Everest, you will need to provide a medical certificate. That's more than you officially have to do to get into space right now“.

Rather ironic, knowing that this niche industry is slowly taking offwith the increasingly significant activity of private agencies; Virgin Galactic, SpaceX or Blue Origin for example.

The SOMA project, the result of an unprecedented collaboration between more than 100 institutions across the globe, has made it possible to constitute the largest database ever created in aerospace medicine and space biology. This will be of invaluable assistance in helping to understand the consequences of space flights which are increasing more and more each year. Perhaps this project will one day also serve as a foundation for the establishment of stricter regulations for space tourism, a sector that is currently quite flexible at this level.

• Space stays, even short ones, cause profound and rapid changes in astronauts' DNA.
• Studies show that telomeres lengthen in orbit, a change that can pose long-term health risks.
• Space tourism lacks strict medical protocols, unlike professional astronauts.

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