The human race has indeed evolved from earlier primate ancestors over millions of years. Modern humans, Homo sapiens, are part of the hominin family, which also includes extinct species like Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and Homo erectus. Our ancestors gradually evolved and adapted to various environmental conditions, leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens as we know them today.
Evolution is an ongoing process, but it operates on timescales much longer than a few hundred years. Within a span of 100 years, significant visible changes in the human species are unlikely due to genetic evolution. However, there might be some potential developments and changes related to our appearance and way of life that could arise from other factors:
Technological Advancements: In the future, technology may advance considerably, leading to enhanced body modifications or even the merging of humans with artificial intelligence and cybernetics. This could result in individuals with enhanced physical abilities or altered appearances through advanced biotechnology.
Medical Advancements: Medical advancements could lead to improvements in healthcare, genetic engineering, and regenerative medicine. While this might not alter our appearances significantly, it could impact our health, lifespans, and general well-being.
Environmental Influences: Environmental conditions can influence human populations over time. For example, if we were to colonize other planets or extreme environments, adaptation to these conditions might affect certain aspects of our physiology.
Cultural and Social Factors: Societal norms and cultural preferences can influence human appearance to some extent. Over the course of a century, certain fashion trends, beauty ideals, and body modifications might become more prevalent.
Intermixing of Populations: Globalization and increased movement of people could lead to greater intermixing of diverse genetic backgrounds, potentially resulting in some blending of physical traits.
Epigenetic Changes: Epigenetic changes, which do not involve alterations in DNA sequence but can influence how genes are expressed, may occur in response to environmental factors and affect certain traits.
However, it's crucial to understand that these changes, even if they occur, would likely be minor compared to the sweeping evolutionary transformations that have shaped our species over millions of years.
Keep in mind that predictions about the distant future or even the near future are speculative, and unforeseen developments may significantly impact the course of human evolution. Also, ethical and societal considerations will play a vital role in determining the extent and direction of any future changes, especially those involving technology and genetic engineering.