UCL Sutton Scholars – Outer Space: Mission to Mars Discovery
Day, 18th February 2014 – Persuasive Writing Winner
Aaminah, Fulham Cross Girls’ School
Title: Human beings would be capable of living on Mars without psychological
problems or health issues.
The following assignment concerns the psychological problems and health issues that
humans may face if they consider living on the planet Mars. In the adjoining paragraphs, I
will explain my reasons as to why I disagree with the statement written above.
Humans will face psychological problems on Mars because their lifestyle on that planet will
be completely different to the ones they had on this planet, Earth. Their minds will not safely
adjust to this new way of living and some may develop serious mental health issues. A few
examples of what they may find difficult adjusting to are: living with only a few others,
differences in the climate (extremely cold), so little oxygen and no luxuries. The minds could
begin to think about the things that they left behind here on Earth and may even drive them
crazy. Psychological problems are harder to cure with technology. This is unsafe and could
possibly result in volatile behaviour and prove fatal to the mission.
Moreover, the planet gives off incredible amounts of radiation and that increases our
chances of receiving cancer. Since there is no cure for the disease, there will be masses of
people dying all over and cause even more stress to the mind. Furthermore, the spacecrafts
can only take enough fuel to travel to our destination, not take us back to where we came
from- so there is no returning to this planet once we leave. If there happens to be an illness
on board it may be contagious and could harm the rest of the astronauts. Not only will this
harm people due to no medicine, but it would have wasted a lot of money. I also think that if
we do decide to go, there will be a chance that we will not be able to grow crops and other
natural resources and that will cause malnutrition and famine. Being weightless for so long,
causes degeneration in the bones, muscles and the heart, this is a very serious health issue.
Overall, I don’t think we should go to Mars. It isn’t safe and there is no way back to Earth
once you’ve gone. Many will die and some will find it hard to adjust from the life they lead
here on Earth. Therefore, I don’t think human being would be capable of living on Mars
without psychological problems or health issues.