Is Reproduction Possible in Space? ... China Conducts Experiments with Monkeys

Chinese Government Plans Primate Space Breeding Experiment on Tiangong
Close Contact Difficult and Low Blood Pressure Reduces Sexual Stimulation, Making Space Intercourse Challenging

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Culture Reporter Young Lim, Intern] The Chinese government is reportedly planning to send monkeys into space for breeding experiments. China, which is set to complete its space station 'Tiangong' by the end of this year, aims to verify whether human reproduction is possible in outer space.

According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), researcher Zhang Lu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced in a video posted on the Chinese Academy of Sciences' social media on the 31st of last month that pregnancy and birth experiments with small-bodied macaque monkeys will be conducted in the module Wentian.

The experiment site is Wentian, the first experimental module of Tiangong, primarily used for life science experiments. Although currently it can only accommodate experiments with small organisms such as seaweed, fish, and snails, researcher Zhang stated that expansion and modification are possible. He said, "After conducting experiments on small organisms, we will proceed with experiments on macaque monkeys to observe how they grow and reproduce in space. These experiments will help us understand the adaptability of organisms in microgravity and other space environments."

Professor Ke Kui Qi from Tsinghua University Medical School, who led stem cell experiments in space, pointed out, "The difficulty of life science experiments in space increases as the size of the experimental animals grows." He added, "Astronauts have to feed the experimental animals and manage their waste. However, many countries are planning long-term settlements in lunar or Martian orbits, so such experiments are necessary."

However, it is uncertain whether the monkeys will behave as planned in space. A scientist from Shanghai told SCMP that while monkeys on the ground can be calmed using toys or music when frightened, it may be difficult to soothe them in the confined space of a spacecraft.

He also mentioned that simply boarding the spacecraft can frighten the monkeys, potentially causing side effects such as reduced reproductive ability and refusal to eat. Some ground-based experiments have shown that the absence of gravity can damage reproductive organs, leading to a significant decrease in the sexual hormone levels of the experimental animals.

Animal breeding experiments in space are not new. The former Soviet Union succeeded in mating several mice during an 18-day space flight, with some showing signs of pregnancy. However, none of the mice gave birth after returning to Earth. Russia also attempted a space breeding experiment with geckos in 2014, but all died, resulting in failure.

In 1992, the US space shuttle Endeavour carried a married astronaut couple to the International Space Station (ISS), but NASA stated that, to their knowledge, no astronauts have engaged in sexual activity in space.

Professor Adam Watkins of the University of Nottingham in the UK wrote in the 2020 issue of the journal 'Physiology News Magazine' that having sex in space is much more difficult than imagined. Professor Watkins said, "In microgravity, it is difficult for two people to maintain close contact, and astronauts in space, who are in a state of low blood pressure, find it harder to experience sexual arousal than on Earth. Moreover, spacecraft do not have spaces that guarantee privacy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.