Colbert digital DNA headed for space

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NEW YORK, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. news-parody show host Stephen Colbert is having his DNA digitized and sent to the International Space Station, Comedy Central announced Monday.

The information will be sent with famed game designer Richard Garriott, who is to travel to the space station next month and deposit the "Immortality Drive," a time capsule holding human DNA and records of humanity's greatest accomplishments.

The collection of data, including Colbert's DNA and accomplishments, along with personal messages left by visitors at www.OperationImmortality.com, "will serve as a remote off-site backup of the human race," Comedy Central said.

"I am thrilled to have my DNA shot into space, as this brings me one step closer to my lifelong dream of being the baby at the end of '2001,'" Colbert, host of "The Colbert Report," said in a statement.

"In the unlikely event that Earth and humanity are destroyed, mankind can be resurrected with Stephen Colbert's DNA," added Garriott. "Is there a better person for us to turn to for this high-level responsibility?"