Stephen Hawking spent much of his life looking toward the future — and many of his predictions were far from comforting. In addition to warning about artificial intelligence, climate change, and the risks of alien contact, he also spoke about a more quietly advancing force: superhumans created through genetic engineering.
In his final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Hawking wrote that humanity may soon enter a phase of self-designed evolution — a world in which the wealthy could begin to edit DNA not just to treat disease, but to enhance intelligence, strength, and lifespan. Over time, these edited individuals could diverge so far from natural humans that the species itself begins to split.
The rise of superhumans created through genetic engineering
According to Hawking, genetic editing would likely begin with medical intentions: repairing inherited conditions, reducing cancer risk, and increasing resistance to disease. But once that door is open, enhancement becomes a tempting next step. In time, superhumans created through genetic engineering could possess superior memory, cognition, and physical performance.
Hawking believed that laws might be passed to restrict human genetic editing — but some individuals, especially those with money and access, would inevitably break those boundaries. And once the first generation of enhanced humans is born, he warned, the pressure to keep up would be overwhelming.
A future divided by DNA
The most troubling part of Hawking’s prediction wasn’t the technology itself — it was the potential for a new class divide. In his view, superhumans created through genetic engineering could outpace natural humans in nearly every way. Over time, those without enhancements might struggle to compete socially, economically, or even biologically.
He suggested that this could lead to a future in which “unimproved” humans are left behind — possibly to the point of extinction or obsolescence. Meanwhile, the genetically modified elite would continue refining and upgrading themselves, generation after generation.
This wouldn’t be evolution as we know it, but something far more intentional — and far more irreversible.
Hawking’s warning was less about fear and more about foresight. As genetic technologies become cheaper and more precise, the questions he raised are no longer theoretical. If we are truly entering the era of superhumans created through genetic engineering, we must ask: Who benefits? Who gets left behind? And what does it mean to remain human in a world where that definition can be edited?
