Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Earlier today I came across this Inverse article talking about the likely impact of the Martian environment on the evolution of future Martian colonists.

The topic is speculative fluff, but it’s interesting speculative fluff. It’s based on an interview with Scott Solomon PhD, from the Department of Bio Sciences at Rice University, Houston. There’s a related TEDx Talk (embedded at the bottom of this post). I believe there’s also a book out there somewhere.

The Inverse article headline is an example of tabloid hyperbole at its best. In spite of its length I couldn’t resist using it;

Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Solomon’s view is that the differences between Earth’s environment and that of Mars, will have the effect of speeding up the evolution of Martian colonists to the point where noticeable differences will occur within several generations. He bases the speed of change on the assumption that high levels of Martian radiation will hugely ramp up the mutation rate in colonist DNA, leading to an acceleration in the number of genetic changes presented to the Martian environment for selection. Solomon also theorises a need for a colonist population of 100,000 or more souls, across a broad range of genetic typology, to maintain the evolutionary process.

Solomon predicts a number of possible, evolutionary changes in response to the Martian environment:

Denser, more brittle bones due to the lower Martian gravity. This could complicate childbirth. (OB Note: this claim is little confusing. Solomon seems to suggest that humans will need a mutation causing high density bone structure at birth to compensate for the lifelong loss of density due to low gravity.)

Near sightedness as a result of Martians necessarily living indoors in confined spaces. Solomon bases this on studies showing that kids kept indoors tend to be near sighted.(OB Note: Does this mean that dwellers in dense jungle are more near sighted than desert nomads?)

New skin tones to ward off high radiation levels. This would require the development of a radiation proof pigment – but not melanin. (OB Note: will our Martian relatives glow in the dark?)

Higher oxygen efficiency. Solomon is on fairly firm ground here given that genetic change, improving oxygen storage and retention, has been shown in sea-based divers and populations evolved at high altitudes; for example, Tibetans.

Loss of Immune system. In a sterile environment with no microorganisms Solomon theorises that Martian colonists will have no need for a germ fighting capability. As a result, the immune system may atrophy. (OB Note: what about the germs colonists bring with them? Will indoor environments also be sterile?)

It’s this last change that the article describes as the beginning of an ‘irreversible splinter’ between Martians and Earthlings. With a limited immune system, interplanetary sex becomes a deadly dalliance for Martian maids and men. Gravitationally challenged Martians are unlikely to do well on Earth. Have we reached the human equivalent of lions and tigers?
(OB Note: Solomon appears to be hinting at speciation… but… isn’t this similar to what has already occurred in the past with European invaders inflicting their diseases on indigenous populations. There were certainly many, many deaths but, no ‘irreversible (genetic) splinter’.)

Martian evolution may also be subjected to Foster’s Rule (the Island Effect) where physical size is determined by available resources: Homo floresiensis is an Earthbound example.

I won’t get to see if Solomon’s predictions carry any weight. Martian colonisation, on the scale envisaged by Solomon, won’t happen in my lifetime. Given that evolutionary change will need several generations, I doubt if even my kids will be around to see the consequences but, it may – eventually – happen.

Is Solomon right? - will we see a new Martian race with the characteristics he suggests?

Are we on the verge of creating a new human species - Homo Sapiens Martianensis?

OB

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nithavela · May 25, 2019

I am reminded of this picture:

flying-fireman-from-the-series-visions-of-the-year-2000-1899-private-picture-id600055127

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

Nithavela said:
I am reminded of this picture:

There's something familiar about this pic but I can't recall what. The style is 1940ish. Perhaps from some early dystopian or sci fi novelette?
OB

Nithavela · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
There's something familiar about this pic but I can't recall what. The style is 1940ish. Perhaps from some early dystopian or sci fi novelette?
OB

Its a picture series called "visions of the year 2000".

A 19th-Century Vision of the Year 2000

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

Nithavela said:
Its a picture series called "visions of the year 2000".

A 19th-Century Vision of the Year 2000

Fascinating to see what people expected of the future a century ago.

Thanks Nithavela. I've filed in my Favourites for future reference.

OB

dzheremi · May 25, 2019

Ah, yes...I remember when that happened, 19 years ago. Thank you, French pterodactyl firemen!

Ophiolite · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Earlier today I came across this Inverse article talking about the likely impact of the Martian environment on the evolution of future Martian colonists.

The topic is speculative fluff, but it’s interesting speculative fluff. It’s based on an interview with Scott Solomon PhD, from the Department of Bio Sciences at Rice University, Houston. There’s a related TEDx Talk (embedded at the bottom of this post). I believe there’s also a book out there somewhere.

The Inverse article headline is an example of tabloid hyperbole at its best. In spite of its length I couldn’t resist using it;

Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Solomon’s view is that the differences between Earth’s environment and that of Mars, will have the effect of speeding up the evolution of Martian colonists to the point where noticeable differences will occur within several generations. He bases the speed of change on the assumption that high levels of Martian radiation will hugely ramp up the mutation rate in colonist DNA, leading to an acceleration in the number of genetic changes presented to the Martian environment for selection. Solomon also theorises a need for a colonist population of 100,000 or more souls, across a broad range of genetic typology, to maintain the evolutionary process.

Solomon predicts a number of possible, evolutionary changes in response to the Martian environment:

Denser, more brittle bones due to the lower Martian gravity. This could complicate childbirth. (OB Note: this claim is little confusing. Solomon seems to suggest that humans will need a mutation causing high density bone structure at birth to compensate for the lifelong loss of density due to low gravity.)

Near sightedness as a result of Martians necessarily living indoors in confined spaces. Solomon bases this on studies showing that kids kept indoors tend to be near sighted.(OB Note: Does this mean that dwellers in dense jungle are more near sighted than desert nomads?)

New skin tones to ward off high radiation levels. This would require the development of a radiation proof pigment – but not melanin. (OB Note: will our Martian relatives glow in the dark?)

Higher oxygen efficiency. Solomon is on fairly firm ground here given that genetic change, improving oxygen storage and retention, has been shown in sea-based divers and populations evolved at high altitudes; for example, Tibetans.

Loss of Immune system. In a sterile environment with no microorganisms Solomon theorises that Martian colonists will have no need for a germ fighting capability. As a result, the immune system may atrophy. (OB Note: what about the germs colonists bring with them? Will indoor environments also be sterile?)

It’s this last change that the article describes as the beginning of an ‘irreversible splinter’ between Martians and Earthlings. With a limited immune system, interplanetary sex becomes a deadly dalliance for Martian maids and men. Gravitationally challenged Martians are unlikely to do well on Earth. Have we reached the human equivalent of lions and tigers?
(OB Note: Solomon appears to be hinting at speciation… but… isn’t this similar to what has already occurred in the past with European invaders inflicting their diseases on indigenous populations. There were certainly many, many deaths but, no ‘irreversible (genetic) splinter’.)

Martian evolution may also be subjected to Foster’s Rule (the Island Effect) where physical size is determined by available resources: Homo floresiensis is an Earthbound example.

I won’t get to see if Solomon’s predictions carry any weight. Martian colonisation, on the scale envisaged by Solomon, won’t happen in my lifetime. Given that evolutionary change will need several generations, I doubt if even my kids will be around to see the consequences but, it may – eventually – happen.

Is Solomon right? - will we see a new Martian race with the characteristics he suggests?

Are we on the verge of creating a new human species - Homo Sapiens Martianensis?

OB

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thank you for that interesting catch OB. IT was timely for me, as I am just completing a reread of what I consider one of the finest hard SF works every written - Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) that recounts the early colonisation and terraforming of the planet.

To my mind it is unlikely that speciation will be avoidable as humans move into interplanetary, then interstellar space. When this will occur and what the effects will be are open questions, but the cited article is important for focusing attention on the issue.

Halbhh · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Earlier today I came across this Inverse article talking about the likely impact of the Martian environment on the evolution of future Martian colonists.

The topic is speculative fluff, but it’s interesting speculative fluff. It’s based on an interview with Scott Solomon PhD, from the Department of Bio Sciences at Rice University, Houston. There’s a related TEDx Talk (embedded at the bottom of this post). I believe there’s also a book out there somewhere.

The Inverse article headline is an example of tabloid hyperbole at its best. In spite of its length I couldn’t resist using it;

Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Solomon’s view is that the differences between Earth’s environment and that of Mars, will have the effect of speeding up the evolution of Martian colonists to the point where noticeable differences will occur within several generations. He bases the speed of change on the assumption that high levels of Martian radiation will hugely ramp up the mutation rate in colonist DNA, leading to an acceleration in the number of genetic changes presented to the Martian environment for selection. Solomon also theorises a need for a colonist population of 100,000 or more souls, across a broad range of genetic typology, to maintain the evolutionary process.

Solomon predicts a number of possible, evolutionary changes in response to the Martian environment:

Denser, more brittle bones due to the lower Martian gravity. This could complicate childbirth. (OB Note: this claim is little confusing. Solomon seems to suggest that humans will need a mutation causing high density bone structure at birth to compensate for the lifelong loss of density due to low gravity.)

Near sightedness as a result of Martians necessarily living indoors in confined spaces. Solomon bases this on studies showing that kids kept indoors tend to be near sighted.(OB Note: Does this mean that dwellers in dense jungle are more near sighted than desert nomads?)

New skin tones to ward off high radiation levels. This would require the development of a radiation proof pigment – but not melanin. (OB Note: will our Martian relatives glow in the dark?)

Higher oxygen efficiency. Solomon is on fairly firm ground here given that genetic change, improving oxygen storage and retention, has been shown in sea-based divers and populations evolved at high altitudes; for example, Tibetans.

Loss of Immune system. In a sterile environment with no microorganisms Solomon theorises that Martian colonists will have no need for a germ fighting capability. As a result, the immune system may atrophy. (OB Note: what about the germs colonists bring with them? Will indoor environments also be sterile?)

It’s this last change that the article describes as the beginning of an ‘irreversible splinter’ between Martians and Earthlings. With a limited immune system, interplanetary sex becomes a deadly dalliance for Martian maids and men. Gravitationally challenged Martians are unlikely to do well on Earth. Have we reached the human equivalent of lions and tigers?
(OB Note: Solomon appears to be hinting at speciation… but… isn’t this similar to what has already occurred in the past with European invaders inflicting their diseases on indigenous populations. There were certainly many, many deaths but, no ‘irreversible (genetic) splinter’.)

Martian evolution may also be subjected to Foster’s Rule (the Island Effect) where physical size is determined by available resources: Homo floresiensis is an Earthbound example.

I won’t get to see if Solomon’s predictions carry any weight. Martian colonisation, on the scale envisaged by Solomon, won’t happen in my lifetime. Given that evolutionary change will need several generations, I doubt if even my kids will be around to see the consequences but, it may – eventually – happen.

Is Solomon right? - will we see a new Martian race with the characteristics he suggests?

Are we on the verge of creating a new human species - Homo Sapiens Martianensis?

OB

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Fun stuff. Though maybe most people would already guess correctly plenty of microorganisms would come along, both the intended and unintended, as already on the space station.
There Are Bacteria and Fungi All Over the Space Station, and Now We Know What They Are

Fun and funny, and enjoyed. Thanks.

sesquiterpene · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Earlier today I came across this Inverse article talking about the likely impact of the Martian environment on the evolution of future Martian colonists.

The topic is speculative fluff, but it’s interesting speculative fluff. It’s based on an interview with Scott Solomon PhD, from the Department of Bio Sciences at Rice University, Houston. There’s a related TEDx Talk (embedded at the bottom of this post). I believe there’s also a book out there somewhere.

The Inverse article headline is an example of tabloid hyperbole at its best. In spite of its length I couldn’t resist using it;

Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Solomon’s view is that the differences between Earth’s environment and that of Mars, will have the effect of speeding up the evolution of Martian colonists to the point where noticeable differences will occur within several generations. He bases the speed of change on the assumption that high levels of Martian radiation will hugely ramp up the mutation rate in colonist DNA, leading to an acceleration in the number of genetic changes presented to the Martian environment for selection. Solomon also theorises a need for a colonist population of 100,000 or more souls, across a broad range of genetic typology, to maintain the evolutionary process.

Solomon predicts a number of possible, evolutionary changes in response to the Martian environment:

Denser, more brittle bones due to the lower Martian gravity. This could complicate childbirth. (OB Note: this claim is little confusing. Solomon seems to suggest that humans will need a mutation causing high density bone structure at birth to compensate for the lifelong loss of density due to low gravity.)

Near sightedness as a result of Martians necessarily living indoors in confined spaces. Solomon bases this on studies showing that kids kept indoors tend to be near sighted.(OB Note: Does this mean that dwellers in dense jungle are more near sighted than desert nomads?)

New skin tones to ward off high radiation levels. This would require the development of a radiation proof pigment – but not melanin. (OB Note: will our Martian relatives glow in the dark?)

Higher oxygen efficiency. Solomon is on fairly firm ground here given that genetic change, improving oxygen storage and retention, has been shown in sea-based divers and populations evolved at high altitudes; for example, Tibetans.

Loss of Immune system. In a sterile environment with no microorganisms Solomon theorises that Martian colonists will have no need for a germ fighting capability. As a result, the immune system may atrophy. (OB Note: what about the germs colonists bring with them? Will indoor environments also be sterile?)

It’s this last change that the article describes as the beginning of an ‘irreversible splinter’ between Martians and Earthlings. With a limited immune system, interplanetary sex becomes a deadly dalliance for Martian maids and men. Gravitationally challenged Martians are unlikely to do well on Earth. Have we reached the human equivalent of lions and tigers?
(OB Note: Solomon appears to be hinting at speciation… but… isn’t this similar to what has already occurred in the past with European invaders inflicting their diseases on indigenous populations. There were certainly many, many deaths but, no ‘irreversible (genetic) splinter’.)

Martian evolution may also be subjected to Foster’s Rule (the Island Effect) where physical size is determined by available resources: Homo floresiensis is an Earthbound example.

I won’t get to see if Solomon’s predictions carry any weight. Martian colonisation, on the scale envisaged by Solomon, won’t happen in my lifetime. Given that evolutionary change will need several generations, I doubt if even my kids will be around to see the consequences but, it may – eventually – happen.

Is Solomon right? - will we see a new Martian race with the characteristics he suggests?

Are we on the verge of creating a new human species - Homo Sapiens Martianensis?

OB

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I am dubious about most of this.

For one thing , to get quick evolution, you need high selection coefficients, not high mutation rates.The high rates are just going to give you more cancer, and you'll want a functioning immune system to fight back.

Some of these effects (near sightedness) aren't necessarily genetic in nature, so evolution is not in play.

One way to keep the effective population higher than 100,000 is to use stored sperm/ova (from Earth) for a fair amount of each generation. This will decrease the possibility of a speciation event occurring.

AV1611VET · May 25, 2019

Nithavela said:
Its a picture series called "visions of the year 2000".

1940's academic version of Y2K?

AV1611VET · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
Near-Sighted Kids of Martian Colonists Could Find Sex with Earth Humans Deadly

Kids having sex.

I wonder who thought that up?

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

AV1611VET said:
Kids having sex.

I wonder who thought that up?

Has it occurred to you AV that, no matter what age we are, we're always somebody's kid?

OB

sfs · May 25, 2019

sesquiterpene said:
I am dubious about most of this.

Me too.

sesquiterpene said:
For one thing , to get quick evolution, you need high selection coefficients, not high mutation rates.The high rates are just going to give you more cancer, and you'll want a functioning immune system to fight back.

Yeah, that made no sense at all. Mutation adds less than 100 new variants per generation, while each human is already carrying something like 3 million variants, just between the two copies of their chromosomes. Even if you could pump up the mutation rate by a factor of ten without killing everyone (quite unlikely, especially since radiation is a small contributor to the mutation rate), new variants would still only increase the pool of variation by ~0.03% per generation.

sesquiterpene said:
One way to keep the effective population higher than 100,000

I can't think of any biological reason why you'd need anything like that large an effective population size. That's far larger than the long-term effective size of Homo sapiens, and we've done okay so far.

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

Ophiolite said:
Thank you for that interesting catch OB. IT was timely for me, as I am just completing a reread of what I consider one of the finest hard SF works every written - Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) that recounts the early colonisation and terraforming of the planet.

I remember the Mars trilogy well.

As an adolescent I was also greatly enamoured of the John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It may have had something to do with the lurid cover artwork featuring nubile ladies with provocatively displayed Barsooms.

I would add a sample picture but I'm afraid it would leave many here blushing.

OB

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

sesquiterpene said:
I am dubious about most of this.

For one thing , to get quick evolution, you need high selection coefficients, not high mutation rates.The high rates are just going to give you more cancer, and you'll want a functioning immune system to fight back.

Some of these effects (near sightedness) aren't necessarily genetic in nature, so evolution is not in play.

One way to keep the effective population higher than 100,000 is to use stored sperm/ova (from Earth) for a fair amount of each generation. This will decrease the possibility of a speciation event occurring.

As you can see from my italicised comments, I'm also dubious. In fact I suspect that the holes in Solomon's argument are big enough to drive a large truck through.

Think of it more as a thought provoker.
OB

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

sfs said:
Me too.

Yeah, that made no sense at all. Mutation adds less than 100 new variants per generation, while each human is already carrying something like 3 million variants, just between the two copies of their chromosomes. Even if you could pump up the mutation rate by a factor of ten without killing everyone (quite unlikely, especially since radiation is a small contributor to the mutation rate), new variants would still only increase the pool of variation by ~0.03% per generation.

I can't think of any biological reason why you'd need anything like that large an effective population size. That's far larger than the long-term effective size of Homo sapiens, and we've done okay so far.

One of the major issues with the argument has to do with selection pressure from the environment. Since our Martian colonists wouldn't last long if they were directly exposed to the Martian environment they will necessarily need to be always sheltered in suits or vehicles or underground shelters with radiation protection and ample oxygen. This minimises the impact of oxygen shortage or radiation as environmental 'selectors'.

I still like gravity difference as an inescapable selection force. I'm visualising our future Martians as skinny, eight foot tall critters with pencil thin bones and a face reshaped to conform with the inside of an oxygen mask.

OB

sfs · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
One of the major issues with the argument has to do with selection pressure from the environment. Since our Martian colonists wouldn't last long if they were directly exposed to the Martian environment they will necessarily need to be always sheltered in suits or vehicles or underground shelters with radiation protection and ample oxygen. This minimises the impact of oxygen shortage or radiation as environmental 'selectors'.

Yup.

AV1611VET · May 25, 2019

Occams Barber said:
Has it occurred to you AV that, no matter what age we are, we're always somebody's kid?
OB

Guess I can't argue that, can I?

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

Halbhh said:
Fun stuff. Though maybe most people would already guess correctly plenty of microorganisms would come along, both the intended and unintended, as already on the space station.
There Are Bacteria and Fungi All Over the Space Station, and Now We Know What They Are

Fun and funny, and enjoyed. Thanks.

Your reply set me thinking.

Is it possible that the real evolution potential is not the human colonists but the colonies of microorganisms they will take with them?

Could it be that those B grade sci-fi movies of my youth-misspent-in-Saturday-afternoon-matinees (The Blob!!; It Came From Outer Space!!), will finally come to fruition?

OB

Occams Barber · May 25, 2019

AV1611VET said:
Guess I can't argue that, can I?

I'll be expecting the;

AV AGREED WITH ME

car sticker, in the mail.
OB

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