Human Infertility and Chemical Pollution.
A Comment by Lukas Fierz
Above, the book by Shanna Swan which deals extensively with the decline of sperm counts in the human population and its relationship to chemical pollution. It is a subject related to the expected near-future start of the decline of the human population, which I describe in my book “The End of Population Growth” (appearing in September, hopefully). Here, I report a comment by Lukas Fierz on my previous post on the subject. Lukas is an MD who has commented several times on his blog on this subject.
A Comment by Lukas Fierz
Until 1940, the so-called normal lower limit for sperm count according to WHO was 60 Mio/ml. After 1940, it was reduced to 40 Mio/ml. In 1980 it was further reduced to 20 Mio/ml, and since then, in steps to 16 Mio/ml, a reduction by 73 percent! According to today’s WHO criteria, 38 percent of Swiss recruits had normal sperm in the years 2007-2019. If one had applied the 1940 criteria, only a small minority would still have been normal. Of course, one can reduce the "normal" levels as far as one pleases until the men are unable to reproduce. The declaration of normalcy is one of the weapons of the powers that be, and it is also used in the climate question.
For sperm, one of the most important disruptors is phthalates, which we are getting mostly from plastic packaging of food. They are easily measured in the urine and elevated after consumption of plastic-packed cheese, sausage, etc. Prof Shanna Swan found more genital abnormalities in boys born to mothers with phthalate levels that are present in 25 percent of US women. In animal experiments, the link from phthalates to low sperm count and genital abnormalities is clearly demonstrated; they cause a sort of partial castration already in the womb. In humans, all the available evidence points to the same causation; however, direct experiments not being possible (fortunately), the evidence is mostly indirect and circumstantial, a fact to justify inactivity for industry, trade, administration, and lawmakers.
If one removes one testicle by surgery, normal production of sperm and testosterone is maintained by the remaining testicle. The decline of sperm and testosterone in Western men already amounts to half or more and therefore corresponds to substantially more than the surgical removal of one testicle.
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You can find other posts on Lukas’ blog on the question of fertility decline, for instance:
Not meaning to be snarky, but in a resource constrained, overpopulated plant, that particular adaptation appears to be a feature, not a bug.
I think that a worthwhile bit of research would be to look into the populations that undergo sperm count testing.
I am not saying that the decrease isn't happening, and the salutary effects are actually welcome to those who feel the population needs a good trim (me!). But I am thinking that a component of this decrease may well be traced to a really funny (not really funny) intro to a movie.
https://youtu.be/sP2tUW0HDHA
I am kinda wondering about the nature of the sample collection process itself. I tend to think that these samples are collected in fertility clinics the sample will be heavily slanted toward addressing infertility. I also suppose that there is an age component to this kind of thing and the age cohort for childbearing does appear to be moving upwards in developed countries (where most of this testing is performed).
Look, I find the studies heartening, you might say that we are looking at natures birth control, but before we get all excited, let's really consider the nature of the data being presented.