The dream of creating a human civilization on Mars has been on the minds of many for years. But according to new research, this dream might come with some surprising—and a little unsettling—consequences. Dr. Scott Solomon, a biologist from Rice University, warns that living on Mars could cause some serious changes in the human body, including the possibility of green skin and weakened eyesight.
The Brutal Reality of Mars
Mars is no Earth. It’s smaller, has only 70% of Earth’s gravity, and lacks both an ozone layer and a magnetic field. Without these protective shields, humans on Mars would be exposed to dangerous levels of cosmic radiation, UV rays, and solar particles. These intense conditions would force human bodies to adapt quickly—and in some pretty unusual ways.
According to Dr. Solomon, children born on Mars could experience rapid mutations to cope with the harsh environment. Over time, these changes might include shifts in muscle strength, bone density, eyesight, and skin colour.
Green Skin? Really?
One of the most surprising possibilities Solomon points out is the development of green skin. Why? Because the high levels of radiation on Mars could lead humans to evolve new skin pigments as a defence mechanism.
“Perhaps in the face of this high radiation, we might evolve some new type of skin pigment to help us deal with that radiation,” Solomon explains in his book, Future Humans. “Maybe we get our own green men.”
This idea is more plausible than it sounds. Many organisms on Earth adapt their pigmentation to deal with environmental stress. So, the idea that humans could develop new skin tones—possibly green—on Mars isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
The Gravity Problem: Weak Eyesight and Brittle Bones
Mars has only 30% of Earth’s gravity, which could lead to long-term problems for humans living there. With less gravity, muscles wouldn’t need to work as hard, which could result in weaker muscles. Bones, too, would become more fragile over time, potentially leading to brittle bones—a serious problem, especially for women during childbirth. In extreme cases, the weakened bones could even fracture the pelvis during delivery.
Another challenge would be eyesight. Life on Mars would likely involve living in small, enclosed environments, where people wouldn’t need to see long distances. Over time, this could lead to a decline in vision, with future generations having weaker eyesight than we’re used to on Earth.
A New Chapter in Human Evolution?
As exciting as it is to imagine life on Mars, Dr. Solomon’s research brings up a key question: How will humans adapt to life on another planet? He suggests that over the course of many generations, humans could experience significant evolutionary changes, possibly becoming a whole new version of humanity, different from the people we know today.
The Future of Martian Life
With NASA, SpaceX, and other space agencies pushing toward Mars colonization, it's important to consider these potential challenges. While the idea of humans on Mars is thrilling, Dr. Solomon’s research reminds us that surviving on the Red Planet might require more than just advanced technology. It could require humans to undergo biological transformations—turning green, losing eyesight, and living with weaker bones could be part of the reality for future Martians.
Final Thoughts
As we look toward Mars and the possibility of building a new world there, we need to prepare for the unexpected. Dr. Solomon’s work offers a fascinating glimpse into what life on Mars could look like and serves as a reminder that adapting to a new environment may come at a high price. Life on Mars might be possible, but it will certainly be different—in more ways than one.
Sources:
- Dr. Scott Solomon, Future Humans
- Research on Mars colonization