Evidence of idiocy.
Keep in mind that they'd likely receive much higher doses of cosmic rays during their time there. Cosmic rays are known to cause genetic mutations here on earth. It's the mechanism that drives evolution, so they say. In other words, the increased CR intensity may speed the evolutionary process up significantly.
There is little-to-no magnetic field on Mars. Only about 27 humans have ever ventured outside of Earth’s protection and not for extended periods...factors conveniently-omitted from a Sun article. Fitting.
A manned mission to Mars is lunacy, an abominable waste of resources until we can achieve space travel absent chemical propellants and provide similar protection to space travelers we enjoy here on Earth.
The Moon is an excellent neighborhood space laboratory; Mars is a fool’s errand.
Correction:
Re: Cosmic Ray-induced genetic mutation is ONE of the supposed mechanisms for evolution. Not THE (only) mechanism.