Among the greatest obstacles to the implementation of crewed space missions are human biological limitations. Difficulties were always envisioned in relation to both Earth's moon and Mars but more so for Mars because long spaceflights would also expose crew to prolonged microgravity conditions, in addition to radiation. The result could well be osteoporosis, bone fractures, and disability. In this article, we do not contest the validity of bone loss studies. Rather, we question a seemingly tacit assumption about the immutability of human nature. Indeed, new, invasive, and noninvasive techniques of human enhancement already allow humans to enjoy modifications that will enable lengthy space missions. The alteration of human DNA has not only aided cancer patients but, for example, by using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing procedure, can also help to prevent damage to limbs and joints that a prolonged Mars mission could cause for the crew. Possible ethical objections to this solution are discussed, and trade-offs between risks and benefits outlined.

进行载人航天飞行任务的最大障碍之一是人类生物学的局限性。人们总是预见到与地球的月球和火星有关的困难，但对火星而言则更为困难，因为长时间的太空飞行除了会辐射外，还将使机组人员长时间处于微重力条件下。结果很可能是骨质疏松症，骨折和残疾。在本文中，我们不争辩骨丢失研究的有效性。相反，我们质疑关于人性不变性的一个看似默契的假设。确实，人类增强的新的，有创的和无创的技术已经使人类能够享受可以进行漫长的太空飞行任务的修改。人类DNA的改变不仅对癌症患者有所帮助，而且例如，通过使用CRISPR / Cas9基因组编辑程序，还可以防止长时间的火星飞行任务可能对机组人员造成肢体和关节的损害。讨论了对此解决方案可能产生的道德异议，并概述了风险与收益之间的权衡。