As humanity prepares for long-duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit, personalized medicine may become essential to mission success. But should NASA collect astronauts’ genetic information to protect crew health, and if so, under what ethical and legal safeguards? In this Journal Club, Dr. Ryan Zahalka, second-year Space Medicine Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, will lead a discussion of the paper “Should NASA Collect Astronauts’ Genetic Information for Occupational Surveillance and Research?” by Rebekah Davis Reed and Erik L. Antonsen. Drawing on his interdisciplinary interests in human physiology, ethics, engineering, and the medical-legal environment of commercial spaceflight, Dr. Zahalka will explore how genomic data could inform occupational surveillance, personalized countermeasures, and autonomous medical systems for Mars-class missions. The session will examine the role of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Privacy Act, and federal research protections in balancing astronaut safety with privacy and nondiscrimination. Join us for a timely conversation at the intersection of space exploration, genomics, law, and ethics as we consider how to protect future explorers while avoiding unjust discrimination.

About the OSMED Journal Club

The OSMED Journal Club is a free, virtual, and interdisciplinary forum dedicated to discussing the latest research in human spaceflight and space medicine. It brings together a diverse community of students, scientists, clinicians, engineers, designers and space enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas and stay informed about advancements in the field.