At least, these are the forecasts for Western countries. According to Professor Karl Jerassi from Stanford University, in the future, people will use IVF, freeze their eggs and sperm at a young age, before undergoing sterilization, writes The Telegraph.
Such a strategy will stop the practice of abortion, because there will be no more unplanned children. In general, people will become parents later without worrying about declining fertility. For example, 20-year-old women, having frozen their eggs, can safely pursue a career. And the developed technology of genetic screening will help avoid problems with children.
The first step in this direction was taken with the introduction of the oral contraceptive in 1951. The drug was originally developed as a treatment for neurological disorders and to help infertile women. Progesterone, the active component of contraceptives, is produced by the body of pregnant women and helps the embryo to implant in the uterus.
The tool works as a contraceptive, as it makes the body think that pregnancy has already occurred. And a natural defense reaction is initiated in the body, preventing fertilization. In the 1950s, after the war, no one thought about birth control. On the contrary, it was necessary to lift it. But in the 60s, against the backdrop of the hippie movement and free love, everyone spoke differently.
The professor believes that male contraceptives are unlikely to appear. At least it will take too long to prove their safety. Moreover, men can have children right up to old age. It is much more promising to simply organize long-term storage of sperm. Experiments have already shown that this is possible for several decades. It is not excluded that the army will join this in the future.