Extract from the Infertility Trap:
As the global decline in fertility rates gradually overwhelms population momentum, we shall see a progressive fall in the number of human beings inhabiting our planet. For many of us, this is a cause of celebration; we want the world population to shrink so that our environment has an opportunity to catch its breath and recover from the ravages of unprecedented population growth.
We encourage global population decline so that the demands we make upon the Earth can be sustained, where the mass extinction of animals and plants comes to an end, where the Anthropocene age gradually recedes as we achieve a state of equilibrium, living in harmony with each other and with the biosphere that surrounds and supports us. This is what we all want. The purpose of this blog is to emphasise that this state of harmonious equilibrium to which we all aspire will not be achieved by default. Forward projections by the UN and others may assume a soft landing for the world’s population, whereby all nations pass through the demographic transition and then achieve a measure of stability, with fertility rates at, or just below, a replacement level. However, there is little evidence to support such an assertion. Many of the social, biological and environmental mechanisms that are driving down human fertility are self-reinforcing. They operate to accelerate fertility loss, not stabilise it. They conspire to generate an infertility trap.
If the global population experiences a sudden crash rather than a gentle, managed decline, there will be major implications of Governments as they struggle to maintain their economies in the face of a dwindling workforce and the increasing financial cost of maintaining its ageing, unmarried citizenry. I am not saying that stability cannot be achieved. However, I am saying that the state of the world’s population needs to be understood and carefully managed.
Governments and non-governmental organisations need to pay head to the dynamic changes that are occurring in the stability and status of national populations and they need to orchestrate a united, joined-up response. UN sustainability goals that recognise the importance of partnership but avoid all mention of population dynamics have, with the deepest respect, missed the point. None of the 17 highly laudable UN Sustainability Goals (No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Partnership for the Goals) can be achieved without reference to the changing nature of the world’s population and the need to prevent a chaotic transition from superabundance to uncontrollable decline.
Extract from the The Infertility Trap by Laureate Professor John Aitken, Scientific Director at Memphasy.
Our Felix™ device is the culmination of our ongoing collaboration with Professor John Aitken, a renowned figure in reproductive biology worldwide. The Felix™ device utilises Memphasys’ innovative sperm separation technology, which is now in commercial production and available for purchase in early adopting countries like Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. We are currently conducting clinical studies and preparing regulatory certifications for markets in China and Australia.
We are thrilled to have Professor Aitken as a key partner as we advance our focused business development efforts in the assisted reproduction and fertility market. Together, we aim to create a world-class portfolio of devices, diagnostics, and media products that address crucial issues in human and animal reproduction.