Why aren't we talking about the male fertility crisis?

[Dry Rot]

I give up. In line 3, I clearly state, "....but if none died and I didn't sell any..."

The short answer is David Attenborough and I agree that we have a human population explosion. Any reduction in human fertility is to be welcomed. If they ever get around to asking for donations for more condom factories, I'd be happy to contribute but I can't see the point (hard though it may be) subsidising already over populated countries to produce more people.

 

[SilliamWhale]

But fertility issues for a man wont effect reproduction rates.

 

[MissSteak]

What are your thoughts on the connection between humans using IVF to have a baby. Taking all human emotion aside. Is it that society is breeding from lesser genetics of low fertility humans, thus passing the genetics on. If this was livestock we would not breed from these individuals. Rates of endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome in women are increasing. The levels of estrogen in men and fish are increasing, due to the unfilterable levels in water. I don't proclaim to know much of these topics but I can't help but think there is an emerging issue. Taking emotion back into it, I don't bregrude any couples going down the route of IVF, but I don't feel it's the best for the future. Who am I to judge.

 

[bovrill]

What are your thoughts on the connection between humans using IVF to have a baby. Taking all human emotion aside. Is it that society is breeding from lesser genetics of low fertility humans, thus passing the genetics on. If this was livestock we would not breed from these individuals. Rates of endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome in women are increasing. The levels of estrogen in men and fish are increasing, due to the unfilterable levels in water. I don't proclaim to know much of these topics but I can't help but think there is an emerging issue. Taking emotion back into it, I don't bregrude any couples going down the route of IVF, but I don't feel it's the best for the future. Who am I to judge.

Not just fertility.
As a species we are destroying ourselves by not using any form of selection in our breeding, natural or otherwise. In fact, we are probably going the opposite way, with undesirable trait carriers being more prolific.
On an individual basis though, it's not a decision that's questioned, to do the best for any life. And there's no one that will ever be able to take that decision away from us until it's too late for mankind.

 

[Phil P]

Not just fertility.
As a species we are destroying ourselves by not using any form of selection in our breeding, natural or otherwise. In fact, we are probably going the opposite way, with undesirable trait carriers being more prolific.
On an individual basis though, it's not a decision that's questioned, to do the best for any life. And there's no one that will ever be able to take that decision away from us until it's too late for mankind.

Maybe they where onto something when they made this film

 

[Fallowfield]

Low standard of living = high population growth.

High standard of living = low population growth.

It seems reasonably clear what needs to be done to reduce the rate of growth, if that's the aim.

 

[DrWazzock]

I wouldn't say I had a particularly high standard of living in UK terms. I earn less than a dustman or rather a "waste collection operative". However, I was reasonably well educated by the state and it occurs to me that it ain't such a problem if I don't produce kids as the planet is already grossly overloaded. So I don't worry about it. It's just one of those things.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

What are your thoughts on the connection between humans using IVF to have a baby. Taking all human emotion aside. Is it that society is breeding from lesser genetics of low fertility humans, thus passing the genetics on. If this was livestock we would not breed from these individuals. Rates of endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome in women are increasing. The levels of estrogen in men and fish are increasing, due to the unfilterable levels in water. I don't proclaim to know much of these topics but I can't help but think there is an emerging issue. Taking emotion back into it, I don't bregrude any couples going down the route of IVF, but I don't feel it's the best for the future. Who am I to judge.

Not to forget elective C-sections

For balance, I was born via C-section, as were both my boys... so it us very easy to alter "selection pressures" with the best of intentions.
But it certainly is very easy to go "firefighting" in this day and age, something that I (as a livestock farmer) am very conscious of not doing

 

[DrWazzock]

I have to say that the people I really admire are those who will bring up an adopted child. I can't think of a more selfless thing to do. To break the evolutionary genetic imprintation and self perpetuation of ones own gene set, to perpefurate those of others is something that raises such adoptive parents way above others IMO.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

But fertility issues for a man wont effect reproduction rates.

It takes two to tango...

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

What are your thoughts on the connection between humans using IVF to have a baby. Taking all human emotion aside. Is it that society is breeding from lesser genetics of low fertility humans, thus passing the genetics on. If this was livestock we would not breed from these individuals.

How many people born through IVF would take it into account 20 years down the line when they are trying to conceive? If they are even aware at all?

 

[farmerm]

Reproduction rates and fertility aren't the same thing are they?

No fertility issues here only have to look at my wife to conceive. Where is the fun in that . Reproductive rate limited by the dislike of deprivation of sleep and money.

In all seriousness though I have spent most of my life drinking borehole water that has much less estrogen present than in the average mains water.. I am sure estrogen is one factor in declining male fertility which is not only occurring in humans.

 

[JCMaloney]

IVF/fertility treatment should not be available on the NHS.
Adoption is to be admired & encouraged.

I`ve never had kids, and appreciate I have probably missed a lot of enjoyment, however we can balance that with quality of life choices.
We can also "borrow" nephews & nieces wind them up into a frenzy, do all the fun stuff......then give them back.

 

[Chasingmytail]

wonders what % of population dont breed I guess its minimal hardly registering on the scale so that argument doesnt work - my guess would be over 99% do breed because infertility is not so much of the final anymore - there is IVF, sperm donation, surrogacy now.

Also reasons for infertility - obesity? pollution? Food quality? fitness?

Still with all the information on population explosion and risks to the environment now I can never get my head around why some families keep reproducing. 2 children is enough for anyone to manage, give opportunities, and afford without relying on tax credits.

 

[farmerm]

wonders what % of population dont breed I guess its minimal hardly registering on the scale so that argument doesnt work - my guess would be over 99% do breed because infertility is not so much of the final anymore - there is IVF, sperm donation, surrogacy now.

Also reasons for infertility - obesity? pollution? Food quality? fitness?

Still with all the information on population explosion and risks to the environment now I can never get my head around why some families keep reproducing. 2 children is enough for anyone to manage, give opportunities, and afford without relying on tax credits.

Most likely many factors combined have reduced average sperm production and motility. Given the effect has been observed in multiple species it seems likely a chemical or cocktail of chemicals, likely plays a key role. These may be both natural and man made, compounds such as estrogen and Bisphenol A are both proven to have an impact and are increasing in our environment