reply to post by boymonkey74
They are also experimenting the long term effects of space with these worms because they are biologically similar to human beings.
It is the hope that these worms ( Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans

) can possibly help researchers understand how humans might cope with
long-duration & deep space exploration.
They were able to successfully monitor the effects of low Earth orbit on 12 generations of the worms during the first three months of their six month
stay onboard the International Space Station.
Dr Szewczyk said: “A fair number of scientists agree that we could colonize other planets. While this sounds like science fiction it is a fact
that if mankind wants to avoid the natural order of extinction then we need to find ways to live on other planets. Thankfully most of the world’s
space agencies are committed to this common goal.
“While it may seem surprising, many of the biological changes that happen during spaceflight affect astronauts and worms and in the same way. We
have been able to show that worms can grow and reproduce in space for long enough to reach another planet and that we can remotely monitor their
health.
As a result C. elegans is a cost effective option for discovering and studying the biological effects of deep space missions. Ultimately, we are now
in a position to be able to remotely grow and study an animal on another planet.”
Source
Ultimately the goal is colonization of other planets,which I am all for and endorse...As long as we leave behind all of the
bureaucrats,tyrants,bankers and any other destructive,negative individual who would eventually start a repeat of what we already have here on Earth.
I think it would be absolutely fascinating to visit another planet that could sustain human life.
ETA: s&f op thank you for the post
edit on 11-12-2011 by PerfectPerception because: (no reason given)