I find the notion of altering human genetic makeup (somewhat) repugnant myself, but it seems genetic engineering is delivering on its promises where strong AI has not (and may never do so). So it is a distinct possibility that some form of 'humanoid' will be shooting off lasers in anger in deep space or maybe on even on the surface of Mars, at some point in the future. On the social front -- and this is a morbid futurist vision, I will admit -- if the current (global) social stratification trends continue, one can project ahead to a future where a tiny subset of humanity may elect to 'move up' to the orbit and control 'their plantation' from space. The cost equation here (for the said subset) would include variables such as 'livability', 'security', and 'control'. (I know, it's alarmist scifi ;)