Expansionary Institute

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

     "Someone will design improved humans somewhere," he told a 3,000-strong
     audience at a public lecture on Science in the Future, in Bombay. "I am
     not advocating human genetic engineering as a good thing, I'm just saying
     it is likely to happen in the next million years whether we like it or
     not," he said.

     Hawking, who holds a prestigious Cambridge University chair once held by
     Sir Isaac Newton, also forecast that babies would be grown outside the
     womb in the next hundred years.

     The British physicist said humans should improve their mental and physical
     capabilities and meet challenges posed by space travel.

     "If we don't destroy ourselves in the next 100 years, I expect we will
     spread out to planets in the nearby solar system and then to nearby
     stars," Hawking said.

     The author of the best-selling A Brief History of Time is in Bombay to
     attend Strings 2001, a conference on the string theory, also called the
     Theory of Everything.

     He and others believe that once proved, it may be the answer to
     conflicting theories on the origin and fate of the universe.
     Hawking said life on other solar systems would likely be more primitive
     than that on Earth.

     "If life is already developing in other solar systems, there is little
     chance of catching it at the stage at which humans are now," Hawking said.
     "As we explore galaxies, we might find primitive life but not beings like
     us."
     Hawking said a more advanced race on other planets was unlikely.
     "If that's so, then why hasn't it spread through the galaxies and visited
     us. Or could it be they are watching us and letting us stew in our own
     primitive juices?" he joked, then added, "I doubt they would be so
     considerate to a lower life form."

     Hawking said the development of improved human beings on Earth would cause
     problems and advocated acceptance and understanding. He said although many
     people advocated a ban on genetic engineering, it would be allowed on
     plants and animals for economic reasons.

     "DNA is the basis for all life on earth. The human race and its DNA will
     increase its complexity quite rapidly," said Hawking, 59.

     Since he was 21, Hawking has suffered from a motor neuron disease called
     Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The condition
     leads to muscle weakness, paralysis and impaired speech.

     He uses a motorized wheelchair equipped with a computer and a voice
     synthesizer. Pressure from his fingertips on a small hand-held device
     helps him choose words on the computer screen, merges these into sentences
     that are conveyed through the voice synthesizer.

     Hawking urged a slowdown in the world population, which currently doubles
     every 40 years. "By the year 2600, the world population will be standing
     shoulder to shoulder and electricity consumption will make the Earth glow
     red hot."

     The physicist repeated his fear that a nuclear war or accident would wipe
     out the human race.
     "There is a very real danger that we will kill everything on this planet
     now that we have the technological power to do so."
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     Physicist Stephen Hawking forecasts improved humans in next millennium
     (Jan 14 2:02 pm ET)