Chris Mason, a geneticist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, has a unique perspective on the future of humanity. In his book “The Next 500 Years: Engineering life to reach new worlds,” Mason explores the idea that Earth may no longer be a suitable home for humans and offers a blueprint for genetic modifications that could make us more resilient off-world.
Mason’s plan takes into account the challenges of living away from Earth, such as radiation and toxic gases. He draws on his experience as a principal investigator on the NASA twin study, which examined the effects of space on astronaut Scott Kelly and his twin brother, Mark.
While Mason acknowledges that his vision spans 500 years, he is already actively researching genetic modifications to enhance human resilience in space.
Interview Question: You say we have …
