Having Children in Space Has Become Possible!

According to SAEDNEWS, A newly published international study warns that reproductive health issues in space are no longer just theoretical, and fertility and pregnancy must be prioritized in planning for human space activities.

The report, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, brings together experts in reproductive medicine, aerospace science, and bioethics to highlight that rapid advances in human space activities have outpaced protective policies for reproductive health.

Giles Palmer, a clinical embryologist with the Global IVF Initiative, noted, “Over 50 years ago, two major scientific breakthroughs reshaped our understanding of biological and physical possibilities: the first human landing on the Moon and the first successful human conception in a laboratory.”

He added, “Now, more than half a century later, we argue in this report that these once-separate achievements have converged in a practical and underexplored reality: space has become both a workplace and a travel destination, while assisted reproductive technologies have advanced dramatically, becoming more automated and widely accessible.”

Challenges of Reproduction in Space

Although assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF and ICSI have progressed significantly, there is still no comprehensive industry standard for managing reproductive health risks in space.

These risks include unintended or premature pregnancies during missions, the effects of radiation and microgravity on fertility, and ethical considerations surrounding future reproductive research.

Laboratory experiments and limited human data indicate that space—described in the report as an “increasingly normal working environment”—remains a “hostile environment” for human biology.

The report emphasizes: “Microgravity, cosmic radiation, circadian rhythm disruptions, pressure fluctuations, and extreme temperatures in orbit are all known to negatively affect healthy reproductive processes in women and men.”

Animal studies suggest that short-term radiation exposure can disrupt menstrual cycles and increase cancer risk. However, the authors stress the lack of long-term, reliable data on male and female astronauts following extended missions.

Reproductive tissues are especially sensitive to DNA damage, and the cumulative impact of radiation on male fertility during long-duration missions remains a “key knowledge gap.”

Is IVF Possible in Space?

To date, no human has become pregnant or given birth in space, and pregnancy remains strictly prohibited for travelers beyond Earth.

Nonetheless, the report highlights that automated fertilization technologies and long-term cell and tissue storage methods could potentially meet the practical needs of reproductive research and interventions in space.

Palmer explained, “Advances in reproductive technology often start in extreme or marginal conditions but quickly expand beyond those environments.”

He added, “These technologies are highly transferable because they address situations where reproduction is biologically possible but restricted due to environmental, health, timing, or social limitations—constraints that already exist widely on Earth.”

According to the authors, ethical considerations regarding human reproduction in space can no longer be postponed.

Dr. Fathi Karouya, senior author of the study and a NASA researcher, stated, “As human presence in space expands, reproductive health can no longer remain a blind spot in policy-making.”

He emphasized, “Immediate international collaboration is essential to fill key knowledge gaps and develop ethical guidelines that protect both professional and private astronauts, ultimately safeguarding humanity as we move toward sustained life beyond Earth.”