Space and Infectious Disease
Truly fascinating. In space, there is no ozone or atmosphere to protect us from the radiation of both the Sun and the cosmic microwave background. Any long voyage with humans onboard needs to have some kind of radiation protection. During Scott Kelly's year long stay on the International Space Station, he experienced various translocations and inversions in his chromosomes as well as other genetic abnormalities.
Humans, however, are not the only living things affected by radiation in space. Bacteria are particularly prone to mutation which could cause more virulent, more pathogenic, and more dangerous to humans in space. Preventing radiation from becoming an issue for humans would hopefully help prevent this kind of dangerous mutation as well.
Humans, however, are not the only living things affected by radiation in space. Bacteria are particularly prone to mutation which could cause more virulent, more pathogenic, and more dangerous to humans in space. Preventing radiation from becoming an issue for humans would hopefully help prevent this kind of dangerous mutation as well.