SCI/TECH: Male Birth-Control Pill on Horizon, page 1

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 10:32 AM

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UMass and Norwegian researchers are working together to develop a male contraceptive pill, after both filed for a patent of a newly discovered protein key in its success at the same time. The new pill works by inhibiting a protein in sperm that allow it to move, thereby preventing unwanted pregnancy. Although the market is expected to be huge, researchers are worried that a male version of the Pill may have some serious social consequences.

www.boston.com
University of Massachusetts researchers will announce today that they have discovered a strategy for immobilizing sperm and have reached an agreement with a Norwegian company to develop a male contraceptive pill. The approach by the UMass Medical School scientists involves turning off the tiny tails that allow sperm to swim to the female egg for fertilization. If their theory is right -- and animal studies suggest it is -- the method could result in a male contraceptive that is easy to take, free of side effects, and reversible.

If the partnership between US and European scientists is successful, specialists in reproductive health said, it would herald a new era in sexual relations, with issues of trust, responsibility, and power unfolding in ways not easily predicted. And the economic consequences could be significant, too: Last year alone, US doctors wrote 82.5 million prescriptions for oral contraceptives, responsible for $2.8 billion in sales, according to IMS Health, which tracks the pharmaceutical market. UMass did not disclose the details of the agreement, but it stands to profit handsomely should a male pill be developed.

Loeb Lifford and other specialists in reproductive health said a male pill could also have important and unintended social consequences, including a potential increase in sexually transmitted diseases if men in less-stable relationships stop using condoms.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

There are definitely some valid fears about an increase in STD's for people who are unaware of their partner's sexual history. However, for stable couples this seems to be a great idea, especially if both partners take their versions of the Pill. The new contraceptive will not be available for at least 10 years however, until extensive research has been done and it has been deemed safe.

[edit on 31-1-2005 by zhangmaster]

DYepes

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 11:57 AM

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WHAT!? 10 years thats crap. I want freedom NOW! Damnit this pill will make my peak so much better. Oh well, but hey this is a damn great leap in population control. I for one am damn willing to take this pill on a regular basis. It should be handed out freely in China India and Africa.

zhangmaster

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 12:56 PM

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It should be handed out freely in China India and Africa

Amen to that. There would be so fewer abortions and much better population control if this were given out freely. However, there will still be a population problem despite this, as families opt to have 4 or more kids per household. When will people realize that having that many children will just stretch out our resources and cause suffering in the future?

LazarusTheLong

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 02:46 PM

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I Hope they have solved the problems that kept it from getting approved before...
the previous versions reduced the male libido, and tests showed a decrease in testosterone...

that would kind of defeat the purpose wouldn't it?

and yes, they ought to give it to all the overpopulated areas of the world, along with a warning... population has already exceeded the limit of what our earth can handle without damage, so don't count on being able to feed more than 2 kids... if you have more, you get to pick which 2 get to eat, and which ones you get to watch starve... (might make them think a little before opting for the large family)

0951

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 04:01 PM

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I'm sure this will indeed have a huge market - but I've never understood why celabacy doesn't seem to get more of a promotion in sexual health issues ?

... not for any dogmatic, religious or ethical reasons, but just as an alternative to procreation.

Maybe it won't be *that* popular, but it might open some peoples eyes (oo'er missus - err, no pun intended of course) to another way of life, a general acceptance of which could have mental health benefits too, as it would save all the angst that can go with this whole topic.

Is that a queue I see forming ? ... no, ok, a nice idea maybe, but nothing more.

DontTreadOnMe

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 04:37 PM

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No offense intended here, but I wonder how many women will trust the average guy to be taking that pill?
Unless I was in a long-term monogamous relationship, I'd be thiniking twice about whether or not my male partner was on the pill

And, in that case it would really be a moot point.

The biggest reason I can see for men taking a BC pill is so we women won't be able to make paternity claims. I know there are women out there like that, sorry to say.

OTOH, you guys can join we women in worrying about synthetic hormones and/or proteins running through our systems, playing havoc with various and sundry things, like making our hair fall out.
Better living through chemistry?

jsobecky

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 05:36 PM

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DTOM

You took the words right out of my mouth. I wonder how many women would trust men to take it.

Now if they would just come up with an AIDS-control pill.

Phugedaboudet

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 06:54 PM

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Probaly just as many as men who trust women to be taking them, I suppose.

We've been promised this breakthrough for decades, I'm not holding my breath.

What's sad is, I doubt these would be used in China or anywhere else. Culturally there will be a stigma, and they'll not be taken, I fear.

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
No offense intended here, but I wonder how many women will trust the average guy to be taking that pill?
Unless I was in a long-term monogamous relationship, I'd be thiniking twice about whether or not my male partner was on the pill
And, in that case it would really be a moot point.

The biggest reason I can see for men taking a BC pill is so we women won't be able to make paternity claims. I know there are women out there like that, sorry to say.

OTOH, you guys can join we women in worrying about synthetic hormones and/or proteins running through our systems, playing havoc with various and sundry things, like making our hair fall out.
Better living through chemistry?

djohnsto77

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 06:58 PM

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I think it's great for men if it's safe. Not to sound sexist, but I've heard stories about women not taking it on purpose to get pregnant to snag the man and force marriage.

Cebu

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 07:23 PM

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Originally posted by zhangmaster

It should be handed out freely in China India and Africa

Amen to that. There would be so fewer abortions and much better population control if this were given out freely. However, there will still be a population problem despite this, as families opt to have 4 or more kids per household. When will people realize that having that many children will just stretch out our resources and cause suffering in the future?

I live here in the Philippines where the Catholic church dictates to much when it comes to contraceptions. You see poor poor families with 4-10 kids running around because there priest tells them protecting themselves is wrong. The population in the Philippines is suppose to double in 30 years. The problem with many countries that have such strong religious beliefs is that they've allowed the Catholic church to much power to brainwash them. We're talking about a complete re-education of the public if there is ever going to be population control in some third world countries around the world. I wish this pill would come here, but even if it does the church will say it's wrong.

DontTreadOnMe

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 07:50 PM

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Originally posted by Cebu
I live here in the Philippines where the Catholic church dictates to much when it comes to contraceptions. You see poor poor families with 4-10 kids running around because there priest tells them protecting themselves is wrong. The population in the Philippines is suppose to double in 30 years. The problem with many countries that have such strong religious beliefs is that they've allowed the Catholic church to much power to brainwash them. We're talking about a complete re-education of the public if there is ever going to be population control in some third world countries around the world. I wish this pill would come here, but even if it does the church will say it's wrong.

This was pretty much the issue in the US when the pill first came out in the 60s. Catholic women were told it was a sin to use BC. Many women went ahead and used it anyway. How cam the Church tell parents how many children they can afford to nurture? It seems to me how many children you have is between you and your God.

Slowly, the Church lost some of its grip in the US. The Church does quite well in developing countries. Beacause the Chruch has had 2000 year practice in control masses of people.
Sometimes, you have to go with your conscience to do what is right, not what the RCC dictates.
I wish you and your countrymen much luck with the RCC.
Hopefull the male pill will get put out and be an aid to you.

Cebu

posted on Jan, 31 2005 @ 08:59 PM

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Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe

I wish you and your countrymen much luck with the RCC.
Hopefull the male pill will get put out and be an aid to you.

Thanks DTOM for your best wishes for the Philippines. Fortunately for me I'm American and am just an outside observer here. But since coming here I've been consumed by the tragedy that is overwhelming the very poor people here in this country. In the end it will affect the whole country and the rest of the world. The Philippines is the size of the state of Arizona with a population of around 86 million. In 30 years imagine 160 million people living in Arizona. This I know is just one country and many others are facing similar situations. We do need population control here, but I'm worried it'll be far to late once anything is done. The time for action is now, but the RCC doesn't see it that way. And politicians are to worried about keeping a good face in front of the public. A public controled by the RCC.

[edit on 31-1-2005 by Cebu]