At what point did I say anything about a commercial manned Mars mission? This is typical of how you think, Ed! You jump to a conclusion without any support of anykind.

Also typical of you...you make a statement in your subject heading you don't support in your body of text.

I know it is a waste of my time...but provide us with evidence the private sector (the holder of the majority of monies) hasn't funds enough to do a humans to Mars mission.

Last time I figured it the private sector could do a mission probable for less than half of that which the government could. Depending on what industries you uses (avoiding aerospace) you could reduce that by half again. Quality control would be the big issue and contamination is just your and Barry's red herring. I know intelligent scientists and engineers can design that concern imaginary or not out of the debate.