Space Colonization May Give Way To Cannibalism In An Event Of Food Scarcity

Two space experts have warned that if humans do not adequately prepare for the challenges of colonizing space, astronauts may resort to cannibalism.

Charles Cockell, an astrobiology professor at Edinburgh University, and Cameron Smith, an anthropologist at Portland State University, both remarked to Metro that Jupiter's moon Callisto and Saturn's Titan may be feasible destinations, but they did not back down from underlining the perils of inhabiting these new planets.

Cockell emphasized that settlers must guarantee that farming and agriculture systems are in good working order, or they risk ending up in a situation comparable to Sir John Franklin's 1845 Arctic expedition, which led to the crew cannibalizing each other.

Smith, who is the co-founder of Pacific Spaceflight, agreed that it will prove necessary to "establish a really good farming system and put in a lot of stored food."

He also indicated that, like early colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, trade will be the most reliable source of income and long-term resources.

To avoid a bleak future, scientists recommend that people begin by colonizing closer space destinations such as the Moon and Mars, where assistance from Earth is closer and more readily available, and where colonization technology may be tried and developed.

He also mentioned the Uruguayan Old Christians Club rugby team, who survived an aircraft crash in the Andes Mountains by cannibalizing only the dead - a horrible conclusion, but one that he claimed demonstrated that even a dire outcome might occur if the order is not broken down.

Smith also advised that mankind must learn good farming and food sustainability practices before venturing into space. Cockell contended that the technology to properly inhabit other planets already existed, making Mars settlement viable in 30 to 40 years.

According to Cockell, however, this technology must be thoroughly tested here on Earth before deciding to bring it to space.

Traveling to Mars, however, may hasten the aging process, according to Mayo Clinic doctors.

Cell senescence could be triggered in humans journeying to Mars, which Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to do in large numbers as early as 2026.

Scientists will launch the first study of the phenomena in February.

James Kirkland, an expert in cellular aging, stated that SpaceX's journey will give us an understanding of whether routine spaceflight, without even reaching beyond the Van Allen belt, is related to cell senescence.

The future of space travel is bright, there's no doubt about that, but what's yet to be uncovered is how humans will be able to sustain life in it.