# We Can Start Designing Our Own Evolution by Stephen Hawking > “But we are now entering a new phase, of what might be called, self designed evolution, in which we will be able to change and improve our DNA.” > **— Stephen Hawking**, *“Life in the Universe” lecture* ## Sources and Context - **Lecture transcript:** [Stephen Hawking Estate, “Life in the Universe”](https://www.hawking.org.uk/in-words/lectures/life-in-the-universe). The packet omitted the opening “But” and ended mid-sentence; this version restores the complete sentence and its original punctuation. Hawking contrasted genetic modification with the pace of Darwinian change while acknowledging that traits such as intelligence involve many genes. It is a forecast, not a demonstration of reliable self-design. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Consciousness Continuity|Consciousness Continuity]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley|The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley]] - **Article:** [[articles/Walking the Beautiful Path Through the Greatest Transformation in Human History|Walking the Beautiful Path Through the Greatest Transformation in Human History]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Self-Directed Evolution|Self-Directed Evolution]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Self-Directed Evolution|Self-Directed Evolution]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “But we are now entering a new phase, of what might be called, self designed evolution, in which we will be able to change and improve our DNA.” — Stephen Hawking, “Life in the Universe” https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-hawking-self-designed-evolution-dna ```