Chris Mason interview: Let’s tweak human DNA for life on other planets

To become an interplanetary species, we may have to genetically engineer ourselves to be more resilient, says geneticist Chris Mason. He has a 500-year plan for life away from Earth

By Joshua Howgego

CHRIS MASON likes to think about the future. He isn’t dreaming about a summer holiday, or even planning his retirement. His thoughts extend much further – to the point where Earth is no longer a suitable home for humans.

Alarmed at the prospect, Mason has sketched out a plan of action in the form of his book The Next 500 Years: Engineering life to reach new worlds. It covers some of the usual ground: how we will first establish bases on the moon and Mars, and later on the solar system’s outer moons. Eventually, we will make an epic trip …