Final Discussion Question

I have to argue yes, it is more likely to solve our problem by eventually expanding outward into the galaxy (into the solar system, first, of course). It is hard to regulate population growth in the world today, though some have tried. I believe China has a national program in place to deter multiple births from a single family in an effort to stem population growth of their country. On a large scale though, I see it being very difficult to control population growth in a free society in a humane way. At best, governments could offer incentives for not conceiving multiple children, but even that would be hard pressed to make a solid impact.

On the flip side, even as NASA's latest probe, Phoenix, landed on the Martian surface just a few short weeks ago on May 25, NASA is currently working on missions to revisit the Moon. It plans to do so by 2020, with a moon base in place by 2024, in an effort to better understand what it will take to sustain life, and potentially use it as a jumping off point for missions to Mars which may eventually lead to colonies/life on Mars as a surrogate planet. "Scott Horowitz, NASA's head of exploration, says "a lunar base will be the central theme, for going back to the moon in preparation to go to Mars and beyond"" (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6582960). It may seem science-fiction, but chips are being put into place to make it a potential reality TODAY.