Sex in Space

The Absolute Science podcast has an interesting episode talking to Laura S. Woodmansee, the author of a controversial book entitled Sex in Space (12.2 MB MP3 file). She previously wrote the books Women of Space and Women Astronauts, and has enjoyed great access to NASA officials in writing previous books. However, this topic is evidently considered taboo in NASA and no-one in NASA was willing to talk to her about this book, or even acknowledge whether any reproductive research on animals has been conducted. She speculated that NASA's reluctance was for fear of losing funding by offending conservatives with a risque topic. Her book and interview say that this is important not only for future long-duration space flight and the potential for pregnancies to occur, but because within 10 years we may actually have orbital hotels for space tourists who are likely to engage in sexual behavior. The interview was thought provoking and questions whether reproduction in the zero gravity and radiation environments in space are safe and therefore ethical until we know. Should someone conduct research in this area, or should couples engaging in this behavior do so at their own risk?