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Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on June 13, 2025, 1:08 pm

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00736-6/fulltext

Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown
Niels E Skakkebaeka niels.erik.skakkebaek@regionh.dk ∙ Lærke Priskorna ∙ Rune Lindahl-Jacobsenb ∙ Anna-Maria Anderssona ∙ David M Kristensenc ∙ Astrid Linnea Becka ∙ et al.

Fertility rates have plummeted, making human reproduction below replacement level across all industrialised regions (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development fertility trends are illlustrated in appendix p 2).1
In line with the tradition of demographic research, the decline in fertility rates has been assumed to reflect a cultural transition due to social and economic changes of modern times.2 However, this theory has not provided concrete evidence linking specific socioeconomic factors to the decline in fertility rates. Other hypotheses suggesting that lower fecundity (the biological ability to reproduce) could contribute to lower fertility rates have typically been overlooked in demographic research.2,3

Governments have often responded to the proposals of demographic studies to lift fertility rates by providing special so-called baby bonuses. However, such programmes have not resulted in higher birth rates.4

The rapidly diminishing number of children and young people is already reshaping societies (predicted population trends are depicted in appendix p 3).5

We should not restrict our search for causes of low birth rates by studying only socioeconomic hypotheses. Important biological questions remain to be answered. Why is the demand for medically assisted reproduction (MAR) increasing all over the world, independent of geography, social status, workplace, religion, and political systems?6 Why has the comprehensive unassisted pregnancy rate (including the rate of induced legal abortions) been decreasing? What is the role of declining semen quality that has been reported from all regions of the world?7 Do the chemicals we detect in our organs8 from exposure to contamination from food, indoor environment, and air pollution9 play a role? Although these questions might appear straightforward, the answers remain elusive, and the reason for this is simple: the necessary large field studies of representative samples of people from the general population have never been done.

Despite sharing a common research focus, demographers and reproductive biologists have rarely collaborated. Their differing perspectives are evident even in their understanding of the term fertility: for demographers, it refers to the number of births, whereas in medical fields it denotes the ability to reproduce (ie, fecundity). As a result, couples experiencing infertility conceiving through MAR would, in a demographic context, likely be classified as fertile, even though they—after treatment—remain infertile in a medical and biological sense. It has been documented that more than 10% of all children in Denmark are now born as a result of MAR.10 And yet, MAR remains absent from the annual statistics on birth rates.

Scientists in reproductive medicine and socioeconomic scientists working in demography should collaborate to bridge the gaps between their research fields and design necessary large-scale, multidisciplinary field studies to identify the socioeconomic and biological causes behind the present crisis in human reproduction. In Scandinavian countries, electronic communication with respect to data safety and privacy can facilitate this study design.

If low birth rates ultimately stem from voluntary childlessness, socioeconomic conditions, current uncertainties about the future, or any combination of these, we should perhaps not worry, as such trends might change with time. However, if the declining fertility rates signal a lasting crisis—driven by an increasing number of young people with failing reproductive systems due to environmental problems—then urgent action is needed. It is time for our health authorities and governments to respond. Future generations depend on it.

To Me There Are A Multitude of Reasons For This Happening...

Posted by Deanna on June 16, 2025, 11:23 am, in reply to "Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown"

Many things have changed in the last 60 years...the advent of the birth control pill, the advent of legal abortions, the advent of the woman working outside of the home....therefore many women do not think about having children until they are in their late thirties or in early 40's and that limits the number of children she might have....or women decide they do not want children...and never have them due to ways to prevent such....

Smart women figured out that there are more important things in life than reproducing.

Posted by KR on June 16, 2025, 4:59 pm, in reply to "To Me There Are A Multitude of Reasons For This Happening..."

Don’t worry, there still plenty of uneducated Christians out there that will pump out babies because that’s all their tiny brains can handle.

Evidently they failed to read Darwin: Reproduction is PRIMARY.

Posted by DFM on June 18, 2025, 2:03 pm, in reply to "Smart women figured out that there are more important things in life than reproducing."

Different people have different goals in life.

Posted by Ken C on June 18, 2025, 10:22 am, in reply to "Smart women figured out that there are more important things in life than reproducing."

If someone doesn't have the same life goals as you do, that doesn't mean they have "tiny brains".

Maybe you should spend more time listening and learning, instead of insulting.

LOLOL Well, If You Do Not Want Children ...Do NOT Have Them!

Posted by Deanna on June 16, 2025, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Smart women figured out that there are more important things in life than reproducing."

But later in life DO NOT BE JEALOUS of those that have family gatherings and have fun till they are at least 105 years old or older!!

I sincerely believe, if you do not want children....do not have them...as, you may not be a good parent!!! So DO PROTECT yourself from causing or having a pregnancy!! THANKS!

why would there be jealousy

Posted by TRISH on June 18, 2025, 10:24 am, in reply to "LOLOL Well, If You Do Not Want Children ...Do NOT Have Them!"

I and whomever can come without kids and still have fun ... just sayin

Because.....

Posted by Deanna on June 18, 2025, 10:51 am, in reply to "why would there be jealousy"

I have encountered such......

A Multitude of Reasons For This Happening...

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on June 16, 2025, 12:17 pm, in reply to "To Me There Are A Multitude of Reasons For This Happening..."

Deanna, I would agree a multitude of reasons, including economic reasons and a growing lack of hope for the future, lack of full support of the fathers.

both my sisters decided against it

Posted by Trish on June 16, 2025, 12:54 pm, in reply to " A Multitude of Reasons For This Happening..."

Several people I know, too

Reasons?

Financial

Wanting to be able to go and do any time

Concerns about the future of our Country let alone the world

Dont like children

Two of my kids

Posted by Sr. DanO on June 18, 2025, 4:39 pm, in reply to "both my sisters decided against it"

say it is Financial. I told them there is never a "right or perfect" financial time. We just want grandchildren

One does not want kids or to be married.

Never considered becoming a parent.

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on June 16, 2025, 1:42 pm, in reply to "both my sisters decided against it"

Trish, Growing up in a family, and observing other families, convinced me not to consider it.

My parents both say they rather be on their way out than on their way in

Posted by Mugwump on June 16, 2025, 2:17 pm, in reply to "Never considered becoming a parent."

to the world as it is now.

Plastics

Posted by GOG on June 13, 2025, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown"

Thank GOD.

Posted by DFM on June 13, 2025, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown"

Just a thought

Posted by BornToFarm on June 13, 2025, 1:35 pm, in reply to "Human reproduction in crisis: causes unknown"

When we fatten cattle, some of the females are given male hormones. The reason for this is that it makes their muscles a bit bigger and makes the steaks and roasts a bit bigger. The hormones are used up long before the animal is butchered so as not to remain in the meat.

However, there is a big warning label on the boxes of implants. It says Do not use on animals to be kept for breeding purposes. It messes them up for obvious reasons.

Will all the "trans" stuff affect population stability? Probably.

Human extinction event?

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on June 13, 2025, 2:40 pm, in reply to "Just a thought"

BorntoFarm, Could just be a sign of our coming human extinction, ?there are so many factors involved, and none of the experts on various factors can, or will, talk to each other. So humans will just age out of existence, perhaps in two or three generations.

No, the Middle East is.

Posted by GOG on June 13, 2025, 6:26 pm, in reply to "Human extinction event?"

No drama, just by wimper.

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on June 13, 2025, 8:21 pm, in reply to "No, the Middle East is."

GOG, you need that great drama event, but dying out in whimpering aging is much more appropriate for the egotistical human race. [Grin]

Need it? I don’t think so.

Posted by GOG on June 16, 2025, 4:12 pm, in reply to "No drama, just by wimper."

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