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Imagine a future where, even if humanity faces extinction, there’s a way to bring us back. That’s exactly what a team of British scientists is working on. Researchers from the University of Southampton have found a way to store the entire human genome—the blueprint of who we are—on a tiny crystal that can last for billions of years. This breakthrough means that even if disaster strikes, future generations, or even advanced technologies, could have access to the information needed to potentially revive humans.
The scientists used ultra-fast lasers to etch the data onto what’s called a 5D crystal, a special material known for its extreme durability. Unlike other storage devices that degrade over time, this crystal can withstand enormous forces, extreme heat, and cosmic radiation. It’s designed to last long enough to be useful for future advancements in science.
Right now, we don’t have the technology to recreate humans from just genetic data, but the crystal stores everything that would be needed if one day we figure out how.
Right now, we don’t have the technology to recreate humans from just genetic data, but the crystal stores everything that would be needed if one day we figure out how. It’s not just humans either—the same method could be used to store the genetic information of endangered animals and plants, potentially saving species on the verge of extinction.
The crystal has already been placed in the Memory of Mankind archive, a secure time capsule stored in a salt cave in Austria, where it will be safe for generations to come. While this doesn’t solve all our current problems, it opens the door to preserving life in a way never imagined before.
Source: Sky News
