New Mars Forums

soph

Member

Registered: 2002-11-24

Posts: 1,492

Re: combating the demons - bone weakening, etc.

We currently are researching and developing medications that can stimulate the production of proteins and cells of any type.  If a trip in microgravity causes bone degeneration, there is no reason why we can't create a drug that stimulates bone growth, or calcium production.  At the very least, we could develop drugs that supply the necessary nutrients directly to the body (bioengineered insulin and other proteins already exist). 

This being the case, the issue of microgravity is really being overdone, to put it lightly.  This is really the primary reason, besides cost, that people have said that Mars travel can't be done.  That logic is ridiculous.

Palomar

Member

From: USA

Registered: 2002-05-30

Posts: 9,734

Re: combating the demons - bone weakening, etc.

*In a helpful vein, please allow me to say that we've had similar discussions within the past half year or so.    You might want to dig through some old threads and see what you can find that has already been discussed here, and how your views of the topic matter will complement what's been posted previously...and perhaps will stimulate further discussion either in the direction of what's been posted previously or with regards to special points you bring out.   

--Cindy

---

We all know [i]those[/i] Venusians: Doing their hair in shock waves, smoking electrical coronas, wearing Van Allen belts and resting their tiny elbows on a Geiger counter...

--John Sladek (The New Apocrypha)