I am not sure how true this is (I checked it was not published on
Apr 1st :-). I googled for Oliver Curry and the guy seems genuine.

Human species 'may split in two'
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6057734.stm
---

Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years'
time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said.

Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of
Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted
underclass to emerge.

The human race would peak in the year 3000, he said - before
a decline due to dependence on technology.

People would become choosier about their sexual partners,
causing humanity to divide into sub-species, he added.

The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall,
slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far
cry from the "underclass" humans who would have evolved
into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.

Race 'ironed out'

But in the nearer future, humans will evolve in 1,000 years
into giants between 6ft and 7ft tall, he predicts, while life-spans
will have extended to 120 years, Dr Curry claims.

Physical appearance, driven by indicators of health, youth
and fertility, will improve, he says, while men will exhibit
symmetrical facial features, look athletic, and have squarer
jaws, deeper voices and bigger penises.

Women, on the other hand, will develop lighter, smooth,
hairless skin, large clear eyes, pert breasts, glossy hair,
and even features, he adds. Racial differences will be ironed
out by interbreeding, producing a uniform race of
coffee-coloured people.

However, Dr Curry warns, in 10,000 years time humans
may have paid a genetic price for relying on technology.

Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they
could come to resemble domesticated animals.

Receding chins

Social skills, such as communicating and interacting with
others, could be lost, along with emotions such as love,
sympathy, trust and respect. People would become less
able to care for others, or perform in teams.

Physically, they would start to appear more juvenile.
Chins would recede, as a result of having to chew less
on processed food.

There could also be health problems caused by reliance
on medicine, resulting in weak immune systems. Preventing
deaths would also help to preserve the genetic defects that
cause cancer.

Further into the future, sexual selection - being choosy about
one's partner - was likely to create more and more genetic
inequality, said Dr Curry.

The logical outcome would be two sub-species, "gracile"
and "robust" humans similar to the Eloi and Morlocks foretold
by HG Wells in his 1895 novel The Time Machine.

"While science and technology have the potential to create
an ideal habitat for humanity over the next millennium, there
is a possibility of a monumental genetic hangover over the
subsequent millennia due to an over-reliance on technology
reducing our natural capacity to resist disease, or our evolved
ability to get along with each other, said Dr Curry.

He carried out the report for men's satellite TV channel Bravo.

-- Vinayak

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