The Future of Human Evolution in Space
What will humans look like in the distant future? Space travel may may affect both biological and technological changes in our species.
By Ana Luiza Dias and James Maynard
The future of human evolution in space will be driven by challenges both similar — and different — to those that have guided our development for countless generations. Since our species, Homo sapiens, first evolved in Africa roughly 315,000 years ago, we haven’t changed much when it comes to physical characteristics.
Globally, our species seen a decrease in the overall body size and brain size, together with reductions in the proportions of our jaws and teeth. Regional populations also show differing physical characteristics, due to climate and lifestyle.
“We are now generally shorter, lighter and smaller boned than our ancestors were 100,000 years ago. The decrease has been gradual but has been most noticeable in the last 10,000 years. However, there has been some slight reversal to this trend in the last few centuries as the average height has started to increase,” the Australian Museum reports.
Although we´re very similar, our species evolved with a great variety of characteristics, fundamental for us to adapt to different environments. DNA studies have shown that our genetic traits have changed since…
