"Live Players" with Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg cover image

The Possibility of Human Extinction

"Live Players" with Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg

00:00

Exploring Government Intervention in Reproduction and Fertility Solutions

As nations confront declining birth rates, there's potential for extraordinary government interventions in reproduction. One approach may involve mandating the freezing of eggs and sperm at a young age, addressing fertility issues as a public health measure. In countries with an absence of Judeo-Christian values—like many in East Asia—this could be more culturally accepted, enabling a shift in attitudes towards bioengineering and reproductive technologies. With IVF and surrogacy becoming more prevalent, governments might consider subsidizing these services to stimulate population growth. By encouraging citizens to donate their biological materials for a national repopulation program, the state could then manage the creation of embryos and utilize surrogates for gestation. The resulting offspring could be considered wards of the state, subsequently placed in foster care. This approach illustrates how governments might navigate ethical considerations while attempting to reverse declining birth rates, tapping into an evolving cultural landscape that sees biological and technological intersections as solutions rather than taboos.

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