[43]

Symposium: Genetic Adaptation for Stress.   K.H. Hasenstein, Biology Dept. University of Louisiana Lafayette, LA 70504-2451

   Exploration of new environments is associated with many stresses. Genetic stress is perhaps best described by the ‘Founder Effect’: few individuals colonize a new habitat and have to cope with their genetic predispositions, limited gene pool and thus limited genetic response to their new environment. In preparing for the colonization of the moon and planets, the challenge for scientists is to recognize, counteract, and possibly exploit the increased levels of mutations expected to occur in humans, microbes and life support organisms. The modification of genetic material by high-energy radiation is probably the most deleterious condition encountered by space travelers, resulting in various forms of cancer and immune diseases. While ethical concerns prevent changing human genetics, genetic modifications have the potential to reduce virulence of viruses or bacteria, improve the functionality of life support systems and, perhaps most relevant, lead to the discovery of new methods to minimize adverse effects of new environments on humans. It is therefore important to develop gene therapy to counteract radiation problems, discover how plants can be adapted to extreme conditions such as unknown mineral compositions or substrates, low light, low pressure, and high energy radiation. We must also prepare to understand the effect of closed environments on the propagation, mutagenic effects and virulence of microbes. Lastly the benefit of learning how the human body deals with damaging environmental influences and recycles or disposes of altered proteins and modified cellular tools is important for the success of future space missions and improvement of life on Earth.