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Pig Sperm in Space

Spitfire15 writes "China is planning to study the effects of space on sperm, by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit. Some 40 grams of pig sperm will be taken on board the Shenzhou VI spacecraft for its October launch. Some of the sperm will be kept outside the spacecraft's biological capsule and some inside, according to China's Xinhua news agency. Surviving sperm will be returned to Earth and used to understand better the processes involved in pig reproduction."

16 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Cue the bad puns by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 4, Funny

    about "porking in space"

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    I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
    1. Re:Cue the bad puns by daeley · · Score: 4, Funny

      Q. How does the Chinese Space Program find a lost capsule?

      A. By using a homing bacon.

      Q. How does China Mission Control talk to its astronauts?

      A. Ham radio.

      Q. What will the first Chinese station be called?

      A. Deep Space Swine.

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      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
    2. Re:Cue the bad puns by Seumas · · Score: 2, Funny

      These space agencies wouldn't have such horrible budget crunches if they would just cut the pork from their space programs.

    3. Re:Cue the bad puns by vettemph · · Score: 2, Funny

      Did anyone else just picture Ms. Piggy wiping off her chin?

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      The government which is strong enough to protect you from everything is strong enough to take everything from you.
  2. One question by Fr05t · · Score: 4, Funny

    "by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit."

    Are these the capitalist breed of pig?

  3. Uh oh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Looks like anyone who promised to do something 'When pigs fly!' might be in alot of trouble.

  4. I didn't submit this, but if I had... by yotto · · Score: 3, Funny

    It would have had a funnier headline.

    Pig's... Sperm... In... Spaaaaaaace!

  5. Why bother with a ship? by AtariAmarok · · Score: 2, Funny

    You'd think that they could generally-engineered super pig that could fire the stuff into orbit while standing on the ground.

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    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  6. Re:... Uh... by SDMX · · Score: 4, Insightful

    More than likely to study the ability of mammals to reproduce in a zero-gravity environment. As if the concept of having sex in 0G wasn't hard enough, think about those poor sperm! Since it's thought that they use gravity to tell which way to swim in the vaginal canal, this might seriously impede the ability to impregnate or reproduce in space.

    You know, should we get there without artificial gravity.

  7. Re:and I thought WE were bored by MindStalker · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Its not about PIGS per say, but more about sperm in general tolerances for space. There are a lot of stuff to learn and why not. Assuming this is a small research addon to an existing mission.

  8. So does this mean... by jasonmicron · · Score: 3, Funny

    So does this mean that China will start conducting the meaningless and irrelevant scientific studies so that America and Russia can get back to exploring the cosmos?

    /Hopes so

  9. Space radiation effects on DNA by spineboy · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Probably since the pig sperm provides a concentrated source of mamalian DNA, it will provide a reasonable representation of the effects of space radiation on DNA. Note that DNA in humans is much more than just DNA - it has many regulatory proteins, folding proteins, etc all attached and/or associated with it. It also has areas that are methylated (inactivating) it.

    Journalists often protray scientific experiments as if the scientists are sitting around in rooms with low O2 concentrations, smoking crack, concocting these bizarre experiments, when in fact if the journalists took time to understand why they are doing this, everyone might be educated. But hey! sensationalism sells.

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    ..........FULL STOP.
  10. Re:... Uh... by Cornflake917 · · Score: 2, Funny

    You've brought up a very important point. Being able to reproduce in space is extremely vital to our future. I suggest that NASA does extensive research on this. I would gladly volunteer myself and Lindsay Lohan as test subjects.

    I wonder if there any astronauts that are in the 0G club.

  11. On today's episode by Burl+Ives · · Score: 2, Funny

    ANNOUNCER: When last we left the spaceship Swinepork, Dr. Strangepork was on the verge of a major scientific breakthrough!

    STRANGEPORK (fiddling with a bizarre contraption): Let's see, adjust this, twiddle that... hmmm.

    PIGGY: What'cha workin on there Strangepork? Some kind of Intergalactic vacuum cleaner?

    STRANGEPORK: Oh, you'll find out soon enough Miss Piggy. Just one last adjustment and... (disco ball decends from ceiling, disco music blares). (yelling)
    This is an intergalactic pig sperm collector! Soon we will understand how pigs evolve!

    PIGGY: Strangepork, you are one twisted pig! Where do you think you are going to get pig sperm out here in space anyway?

    HOGTHROB: I think you should have only best sperm, therefore it will come from pig numbero uno and galactic playboy... me.
    (puts his arm around Piggy). But I'm going to need some help..

    PIGGY (dawning realization): What the... oh no you didn't.

    STRANGEPORK: No, we need as much sperm as possible. Miss Piggy, you wouldn't want to stand in the way of science would you? (reaches for his pants).

    HOGTHROB: As first.. mate.. on this ship piggy, we must repopulate the universe together!

    STRANGEPORK: Prepare for docking Firstmate Piggy!

    PIGGY: (looks at audience). You saw this one coming right? Hiiiiiiiii----yaaaaaa! (spinning karate kick to the groins of Strangepork and Hogthrob).

    (Piggy adjust her uniform as Link and Dr. Strangepork pick themselves off the floor).

    STRANGEPORK: Well, you can't say we didn't try.

    PIGGY: Typical men.. all pigs.

    HOGTHROB: Actually this collector device is strangely attractive.

    (Hogthrob humps the collector in the background as Strangepork covers his eyes and Piggy begins retching).

    ANNOUNCER: Oh gross. That is not ok. Cut! Cut!

  12. Are these the 'up and coming' I keep hearing about by Tachikoma · · Score: 3, Funny

    5 minutes ago I didn't like my job. Now I think its ok, because I found out that somewhere on the other side of the earth, some guy/girl/small-child is collecting pig sperm.

    To send ... into space

    And be brought back in an attempt to "understand better the processes involved in pig reproduction". I bet NASA is pissed that the Chinese beat us to this one...

    Many swines' died to bring us this information....

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    i don't care
  13. Re:sperm or 'eggs'? by vettemph · · Score: 2, Funny

    sperm, sperm, sperm, sperm, sperm, eggs, beacon and sperm.

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    The government which is strong enough to protect you from everything is strong enough to take everything from you.