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The late Stephen Hawking believed that advances in genetic science would lead to a future generation of superhumans capable of destroying the rest of humanity.
In recently published writings, Hawking suggested that an elite class of physically and intellectually powerful humans could come from wealthy people who would choose to modify their DNA and manipulate the genetic makeup of their children.
"I'm sure that during this century, people will discover how to change both intelligence and instincts such as aggression," he wrote.
"Laws are likely to be passed against genetic engineering in humans. But some people will not be able to resist the temptation to improve human characteristics, such as memory, disease resistance, and length of life. "
The renowned theoretical physicist, who died in March, made this bleak prediction in a collection of essays and articles recently published by the Sunday Times of the United Kingdom, before the publication of a book containing a collection of writings by Hawking.
Those who do not have the means to change genetically will be relegated to a sub-class of "unimproved humans," he suggests in "Brief Answers to Big Questions" to be released Tuesday. Rich people with power and access could change their genome to strengthen their strength, memory, and resistance to disease.
Hawking predicts that this two-tiered human system could have serious social consequences.
"Once such superhumans appear, there will be significant political problems with unimproved humans, who will not be able to compete," he wrote. "They will disappear or become irrelevant. Instead, there will be a race of self-designed beings that improve at an ever increasing pace. "
"If the human race manages to redefine itself, it will spread and colonize other planets and stars."
Although the rise of superhumans does not occur in our lifetime, the new gene editing technology has already raised concerns about the potential of baby designers.
CRISPR-Case 9 is a newly developed technology that can be considered as a small pair of molecular scissors capable of cutting and altering nucleotides constituting DNA, thus enabling scientists to detect and modify or modify to replace genetic abnormalities.
Hawking was known to shed some light on some of the most breathtaking ideas in science, such as the nature of black holes and the possibility of a multiverse.
But towards the end of his life, he became more and more vocal about future problems the world might be facing.
Hawking alert to the world
In recent years, Hawking had sounded the alarm bells about the potential threat of artificial intelligence – which was also featured in the latest collection of published writings.
"The advent of a super intelligent artificial intelligence would be the best or the worst thing that ever happened to humanity," he wrote.
"The real risk with AI is not malice, but competence. A super intelligent artificial intelligence will be extremely effective in achieving its goals, and if these goals are not aligned with ours, we will have problems. "
Speaking at the web summit held in Lisbon last November, the famous physicist said that the scary reality was that we still did not know if the AI was good or disastrous for the world.
"We can not know if we will be helped endlessly by artificial intelligence or ignored and marginalized, even destroyed by it," he said.
Although AI can be extremely beneficial for reducing poverty and disease and restoring the natural environment, it is impossible to predict "what we could accomplish when the mind amplifies our mind."
"Artificial intelligence could be the worst invention in the history of our civilization, it presents dangers such as powerful autonomous weapons or new ways for some to oppress many people."
"AI could develop its own will, a will in conflict with ours and that could destroy us."
Hawking warned that scientists and global governments should focus on maximizing benefits to society rather than pure capabilities.
"We must use effective management in all areas of its development," he said. "We are on the threshold of a brave new world. It's an exciting, but precarious place, and you're the pioneers, "he told the audience of researchers and technologists.
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