Natural selection?

摘要

Sir: I read with interest William Rowe's piece on the health problems associated with long-duration missions (Spaceflight Vol 59, No 8, pages 303-304), and the possibility of selecting astronauts based on their genetic fitness in the face of prolonged microgravity and, potentially, high radiation doses. Although I disagree with the good doctor on a few points, he is correct in saying that some populations - and some individuals - will be better able to withstand long missions than others by virtue of their genetic makeup.