Male Infertility: The New Global Warming?

[Lighthouse]

I heard this story on the radio yesterday.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/05/11/2010-05-11_declining_sperm_counts_may_start_before_birth_due_to_environmental_issues.html

"Sperm counts are declining and there is mounting evidence that the problem starts even before birth," Dr. Gillian Lockwood, medical director of Midland Fertility Services in England, told the Daily Mail.

While the process of sperm production begins once a boy hits adolescence, important preparations are being made just before and after a boy's birth. If an expectant mother is exposed to smoke, pesticides, traffic fumes and plastics, this may adversely affect the future fertility of a male fetus.

Problems during the "window" of testicular development that starts before a baby's birth and ends in the first six months of his life could mean that he may never be able to father a baby. Some scientists call it a serious "public health issue" and others say it's as important as global warming. One science writer raised an interesting scenario: if scientists from Mars studied the male reproductive system, they may conclude that men were destined for extinction.

I have to be honest, when I heard this story, I thought that this might not be such a bad thing. I don't want us to run into the problem of extinction, but I think lowering the world population would be good for our planet. Add to the fact that so many people should not be having children in the first place.

 

[SuperFerret]

Just goes to show that life is self-limiting.

 

[Addendum]

I certainly wouldn't mind if I found out that I was infertile.

 

[SuperFerret]

I would to be honest, but I'd wind up adopting if that was the case.

 

[Addendum]

I've never wanted to be a father. If I found that I am infertile, I don't see the loss.

 

[Prison Mike]

I think I would rather adopt.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I certainly wouldn't mind if I found out that I was infertile.

I'd be so happy

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Sounds like a scientist watched Children of Men one too many times.

 

[Addendum]

I'd be so happy

You're not my type.

 

[Scourge2099]

I don't think I'd make a good dad in the first place. No big deal if I'm shooting blanks. On top of that no woman will have me.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

You're not my type.

Shhh, just let this happen

 

[Addendum]

Listen to "I Like Goils" by Type O Negative (RIP Peter Steele) and get back to me.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

As soon as you're done with "Don't Speak" by No Doubt

 

[Addendum]

No Doubt? Ugh