A group of international scientists, clinicians and interested parties have authored a green paper on the risks of human conception in space. The paper, led by David Cullen, Professor of Astrobiology and Space Biotechnology at Cranfield University, highlights that the emerging space tourism sector has not openly considered or discussed the risks of sex in space or prepared suitable mitigation approaches. The paper argues that it is unrealistic to assume all future space tourists will abstain from sexual activities, opening the possibility of human conception and the early stages of human reproduction occurring in space. The authors recommend that an open discussion is now needed within the space tourism industry to consider the risks. The green paper strongly recommends that all the relevant parties involved in the space tourism sector enter into open discussions concerning the risks and mitigations, and develop and disseminate best practice approaches within the sector. The findings of the study have been published as a green paper for community consultation.
