We are approaching a time when biotechnology (genetic engineering, synthetic biology and related fields) can quickly modify lifeforms to help humanity. Modifying our environment and the animals in it is nothing new for humanity, we have been domesticating and breeding animals for our benefit since the beginning. Now we can do it using principles of engineering and design.
One area of interest at Nano Animals is the colonization of space. One-planet species do not survive. If we are to remain viable we must quickly find ways to move off the Earth and propagate through the solar system. If we can make livestock smaller we can take some with us and then have them available at our new home, perhaps on Mars.
Craig Venter, the scientist whose team made the first synthetic organism, believes that humanity needs to consider genetics and perhaps genetic engineering for space exploration
http://www.space.com/9439-biologist-space-travelers-benefit-genetic-engineering.html.
It may even be possible to modify ourselves and make humanity smaller. This would be very beneficial for space travel where mass and volume are limited and a surface base on another planet where gravity is less and resources are scarce, small size would be very beneficial.
We are using the latest in genetic engineering and synthetic biology technology to make these dreams a reality.
