An ice-cold glass of whole milk at dinner – so enjoyable. However, not for my partner, Frank: he is lactose intolerant. That may have something to do with his Indonesian roots. Lactose intolerance is less common among Western Europeans and more common among people of Asian or African descent, for example.
This difference can be explained by evolution. Many Europeans can continue to digest lactose throughout their lives thanks to the presence of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. This ability results from a genetic variation in the lactase gene, which originated thousands of years ago.
Thus, our bodies are the result of evolution. But beyond evolution, we are increasingly being “created” by technology. Take the genetic testing of embryos for certain disorders or abnormalities, for selection. That has quite an impact on the human species. And many more profound technologies will shape us in the future, from AI-controlled brain implants to artificial organs.
Sometimes I think: It’s as if we are an entirely new species in the making. Or, as one of my favorite artists and thinkers Grimes puts it: we are no longer Homo Sapiens, but Homo Techno.
What would the world look like, if … technology affects our bodies more and more? What will people look like thousands of years from now?
Smartphone hands
Fast forward to the year 3024. First, technology indirectly impacts how we evolve as a species. Just as we evolutionarily adapted to be able to drink milk, we do the same for our smartphone use. Excessive phone use has always hurt Homo Sapiens. Our joints, for example. Constant swiping, typing and scrolling puts our fingers and thumbs under unusual stress, leading to painful conditions such as tendinitis or osteoarthritis.
In the distant future, that will be different. We have adapted to scrolling behavior. For example, our hands look different. We have stronger, more flexible joints or even longer thumbs and fingers to scroll and type more efficiently.
Smaller brain
Neanderthals had a larger brain volume than modern humans. One theory states that this is because we need to store less information in our memory, as we started writing down more and using external tools such as books and later computers. This trend continues. In 3024, we outsource numerous tasks to artificial intelligence. As a species, we have become enormously efficient at using ultra-fast quantum computers for complex computation and knowledge storage. The result: our brain needs less mental effort. Over thousands of years, as a result, our brains and skulls have become much smaller.
Direct impact
Technology will affect our bodies in the future not only indirectly through evolution, but mostly directly. We just mentioned pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which, for example, can eliminate Huntington’s disease in embryos. In 3024, this technique will be used much more widely to reduce genetic risks for cardiovascular disease, for example, creating ever healthier generations. Meanwhile, we are integrating technology deeper and deeper into our bodies. Think, for example, of AI-controlled brain implants. These enrich our perception. We can see particulate matter particles floating around because they literally light up in front of our eyes. We also no longer need navigational devices, because the route and speed are uploaded directly into your brain and projected in front of your eyes in real-time.
Not to mention advanced artificial organs. It has become the most normal thing in the world for your grandmother’s artificial heart to last longer than a biological heart.
Homo Techno
What would I, myself, look like in 3024? I would have a brain implant to assist my short-term memory. Yep, it’s needed. Probably something has been done about those sensitive teeth of mine. So I can start eating ice cream again. And what’s also great is that advanced techniques have been used to subtly modify my DNA so that I no longer suffer from dry hair ends.
This is how the line between humans and technology blurs. That’s how Homo Sapiens slowly turns into Homo Techno. But we aren’t fully there yet. For now, we have to deal with our imperfectly evolved body. Although we should be happy that we can walk upright and create works of art. Oh, and can drink milk. Sorry, Frank…
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