Couples will stop having sex to conceive babies within a decade and use IVF instead, scientists say.
They say couples in their 30s will rely more on artificial fertilisation because natural human reproduction is "fairly inefficient".
If the experts are right, it means the sci-fi world of books such as Brave New World, in which all children are born in "hatcheries", could soon be closer to reality.
And it raises ethical questions over whether greater use of IVF will lead to eugenics, with couples screening out characteristics they regard as undesirable.
The startling vision of the future comes from John Yovich, a veterinary doctor from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. He believes IVF will be more effective than trying for a baby naturally.
Young adults have a one-in-four chance every month of reproducing through sex. Among the over-35s, it is one in 10.
This compares to the near 100 percent success rate he believes will be possible with IVF within 10 years. He based his hunch on the fact that in cattle, IVF works almost every time.
No comments:
Post a Comment