Stephen Hawking believes that human beings have entered a new phase of evolution

"At first, the evolution came from a natural selection of mutations arbitrary. This phase Darwinian, which lasted some three billion and a half years led to beings capable of developing a language and exchange information ".

But what differentiates us from our cave-dwelling ancestors is the knowledge we have accumulated from ten thousand years ago, and particularly the last three hundred. We have accumulated external information, such as books and other sustainable forms of storage. This has grown immense. "Some people use the term evolution for genetic transmission only, and would be reluctant to apply this term to external information. But for me it is wrong. We're more than a few genes, "said the scientist Stephen Hawking.

"In the eighteenth century, was said to a man who had read all the books were written. But now, if we read a book a day, would take 15,000 years to read all the books of a national library. Furthermore, during which time he would write many more books. "

We are now entering a new phase, the scientist Stephen Hawking AutoLayout qualifies as evolution, which we can change and improve our DNA. At first, "these changes are designed to repair genetic defects such as cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. These genes are controlled by simple, easy to identify and correct. Other qualities such as intelligence, are more likely controlled by many genes. It will be harder to find. However, I am sure that during the next century, people will discover how to modify the intelligence and instincts such as aggression. "

If humanity manages to redesign itself, reducing or eliminating completely the risk of self-destruction, we have time to reach other stars and colonize other planets, even Stephen Hawking thinks this will be easier to do with intelligent machines.

Source | DailyGalaxy, Via | Slashdot