It has been a while since scientists reduced sperm counts in male rats by warming their environment. They hoped to develop a natural contraceptive for men, but failed. Now it seems that Mother Nature has taken over. This is at least according to a report by Nature Communications regarding lower male fertility. But is this a good idea?
Warming Is Behind Lower Male Fertility and Less Biodiversity
Scientists from East Anglia, UK investigated how artificial heatwaves reduce reproduction among insects. They found that five days of artificial heatwaves reduced male sperm production. And that this lower male fertility was passed on to the next generation.
USA TODAY reports something similar could be happening to human males as global temperatures soar. “Research has also shown that heat shock can damage male reproduction in warm-blooded animals too,” they say. Moreover, “past work has shown this leads to infertility in mammals.”
Ought We to Welcome This Phenomenon Or Fear It?
Earth has steadily increased its population aged over sixty. Some human scientists suggest that more than half of all humans could be in that bracket by the turn of the century. This is not a long time in terms of seniors increasingly living to 90.
There are two primary factors causing this. First, we have seniors living longer thanks to better health care. Secondly, Gen Y and Gen Z are having more single-child families. This is distorting traditional western population demographics, and lower male fertility will worsen this.
We are heading for an era where relatively fewer working-age people contribute to pension and medical schemes. This ‘reverse baby boom’ could impoverish western economics unless something changes.
If that starts happening there will be a stronger case for replacing humans with artificial intelligence and robotics. Could humanity die out? How, oh how did we get ourselves in this mess, when scientists have warned of global warming for two hundred years?
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Preview Image: US Baby Boom