Remember H.G. Wells' best known science fiction book about time-traveling, The Time Machine? Apparently, a British scientist/theorist think that
the human race will evolve into two different species in the future. Interesting theoretical approach of an evolved humanity but I digress. The human race, I've believed for a very long time, will actually evolve into five different species, then reduced to three, within the next 100,000 years
but will ultimately and inevitably evolve into one true species within one million years, the name of it will soon be revealed.
You may ask why do I think that mankind will evolve into five species in the future? Well, you can thank the current advanced science and technology Man have achieved, for the last 100 years, to make all the possibilities and the potentiality to re-make or re-engineer the human race for the next 100 years and beyond. Only one out of five possible species won't directly evolve from mankind (
at least not yet): robotics and AI machines, though these will remain the by-products of man's needs to answer labor shortage or hard labor tasks too dangerous or deadly for humans in specific functions. Naturally, gradual human advancement in AI technology and nano-technology will make possibility that AI machines or robots may become "aware" of its existence and sentience, with concerned ramifications for the human race. You're thinking of
"The Matrix"? Not just quite.
I believe the future of the human race will be that going into the stars. However, the long exposure and endurance of traveling through the space may be too much physical, psychological, mental and emotional taxing upon human bodies. It would mean that scientists would have to construct or bio-engineer a new species out of humanity:
genetically-enhanced clones designated to withstand the extreme conditions and radiation of space for the long haul. Currently, scientists have been talking about sending robots to the far reaches of space but people still wanted people to go out and travel to the stars in spite of the risks.
Theoretical studies on anti-gravity field, faster-than-light engine technology and space-based protective hulls are still works in progress...only in papers, certainly a long way off from space-traveling reality. Genetically-enhanced clones would mean super-strong, dexterous, highly intelligent, immunized copies of the actual humans on Earth, but implanted with some necessary fail-safe methods of sort. It may remain to be seen whether genetically-enhanced human clones may decide to revolt against their human creators and break away to form a more distinctive species that could become the most dangerous threat or the most important salvation to the homo sapients.
The two more other species that are to emerge from the current human race may take within few thousand years of gradual evolution and survival after a cataclysmic event or two: one evolve, by necessity and coordinated natural selection, into a highly advanced, improvised, single-colored version of homo sapien living in a cohesive and complete state of union. They would have wider eyes, slightly enlarged foreheads, be beautiful, slender, tall, almost godlike but are extremely agile and capable of doing anything, including fighting skills. Why? Because another species that is to emerge to challenge them is actually a twisted fusion of man and machine established centuries before, in time when man, machine and clone collided in an all-out apocalyptic war brought about by a long feud between the followers of science and religion.
This fusion of man-machine, assuming such a possibility, is the culmination of man's secular, practical efforts to improve the species by the means of advanced technology. The science's skewed answer in assisting the natural evolution and perfection of man. The man-machine species would be something of a nihilistic, predatory and militaristic community of warriors fanatically and scientifically devoted to the perfection of Man through means of ritualistic competition and technological improvements. Quite so, the future competition between the advanced homogeneous humans and the fused man-machine species on Earth could be somewhat akin to the ancient lores about the competing gods and giants that walked the Earth, overshadowing the dwindling numbers of the descendants of genetically-enhanced clones and the sapiens trying to survive in the face of the two titanic species.
If I'm assuming right, the descendants of the clones and the sapiens could possibly merge into one species that may be described as near-perfection: the pure natural species specifically and biologically adapted to Earth's future natural environments, without the usage of technology, science or the dogma of religion or politics to suit them in life. Otherwise, the two descendant species might either fight each other out to extinction or be picked apart or destroyed by the titanic species.
Moreover, it may be likely that the two titanic species could try to wipe each other out in a series of wars and stalled truces, reducing their numbers in apparent efforts to win at all costs, with rationality and sense of normality have all but abandoned. It may be that both sides, sooner or later, realize the futility of their conflicts and be astounded by the resilience and hardiness of the natural sapiens surviving the centuries-long ordeal. The titanic species, far fewer in numbers, may decide to cease their conflicts and to assist the natural sapiens to evolve into what it would accomplish the most ancient and highest goal of mankind that God or the Divine Providence had intended from the very distant past: to gradually transform Man into pure species of life and energy. . .
Homo Deus*.
In conclusion, the possibilities and the potential to re-make mankind for the greater good or, at least either for the best or worst of intentions, are presently determined by the latest theoretical studies, researches and advancement in science and technology of the last 100 years, with all the possible ramifications and implications of the future. Abrupt climate change could be the ultimate factor to speed up the course of humanity's evolutionary destiny, though with a degree of certainty, by relying on necessary technology, innovative survival skills, natural selection, progressive resolutions and enormous sacrifices to move Mankind toward its inevitable destiny to godhood within one million year.
Sorry, H. G. Wells and Dr. Curry.
* ~ Originated by Saint Anselm of Canterbury.