What is "pantropy"

n. (context scifi English) The process of adapting humans through genetic or cybernetic means to thrive in environments otherwise inhospitable to them, such as outer space, the deep sea or other planets.

Pantropy is a hypothetical process of space colonization in which rather than terraforming other planets or building space habitats suitable for human habitation, humans are modified (for example via genetic engineering) to be able to thrive in the existing environment. The term was coined by science fiction author James Blish, who wrote a series of short stories based on the idea (collected in the anthology The Seedling Stars).