“Children of Men” & the sperm banking crunch
Originally submitted by Joe Ravetz
last updated by Rafael Popper
Wild Card's progress: basic
This Wild Card came from:
European Commission Framework Programme for RTD
The theme/scheme related to this Wild Card:
Theme 6 - Environment (including Climate Change)
The sub-theme that best relates to this Wild Card:
Environment and health
Likelihood timeframe and scenario features :
now-2050
Wild Card's description
Accumulation of endocrine-disruptors particularly in urban and automotive environments, brings forward the decline in male sperm counts to below the viable threshold. There are registered sperm banks and IVF procedures, but these are costly and available only to the wealthy. Other social groups are not happy about this existential threat and attempt a sabotage of private banks. This precipitates a crisis with individuals who feel that their future inheritance is at risk, and there is a backlash against fertility scientists and regulators.
