Time Machine vision may come true

Published on 17/10/2006 00:36

SOCIAL division might split humans into two sub-species 100,000 years from now - one tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and the other dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.

The forecast was made by evolution expert Dr Oliver Curry, who investigated the ascent and descent of humans over the next 100 millennia.

HG Wells, the novelist, predicted a similar gloomy outcome for humanity in his novel The Time Machine.

He envisaged a race of frail privileged beings, the Eloi, who lived above ground in a futuristic ruined city. They were prey for the cannibalistic ape-like Morlocks, who toiled underground and whose ancestors were the downtrodden workers of today.

According to Dr Curry, the human race is likely to peak in the year 3,000, before collapsing into technology-driven decline.

Within a thousand years, humans will evolve into coffee-coloured giants between six and seven feet tall, he predicts. Improved nutrition and medical science will see people growing taller and fitter, while life-spans are extended to 120 years.

Physical appearance, driven by indicators of health, youth and fertility, will improve.

Men will exhibit symmetrical facial features, look athletic, and have squarer jaws and deeper voices.

Women on the other hand will develop lighter skin, large clear eyes, pert breasts, glossy hair, even features and smooth hairless skin.

Racial differences will be ironed out by interbreeding, producing a uniform race of coffee-coloured people.

"After that, things could get ugly, with the possible emergence of genetic 'haves' and 'have-nots'," he said.