Men, Women, and Space Travel: Gene-Linked Molecular Networks, Human Countermeasures, and Legal and Ethical Considerations

The interest in extraterrestrial travel is accelerating, as is evident not only in the expanding governmental programs, but also in private commercial ventures. Preparing the professional astronaut for space travel presents a different challenge than does assessing whether a commercial space traveler is fit enough to sustain the rigors of such an adventure. For both categories of voyagers, however, we must consider the extensive differences between men and women, including both their strengths and vulnerabilities. The population of astronauts that have been trained and assessed is relatively small. Therefore, the personalized assessment and preparation of the individual space traveler is currently a subject of intense interest. This roundtable discussion will consider the many issues surrounding our newest explorations into extraterrestrial flight.