Fertility in the developed world has been dropping for decades and fertility in the developing world is plateauing. Recent data shows that COVID-19 may significantly reduce male fertility. We may reach sub-replacement fertility levels (deaths outweigh births) globally before 2050.
Some assumptions:
1) Fertility will continue to drop in the 1st world and level off in the developing world, meaning average global fertility may have already peaked
2) In vitro fertilization (IVF) will grow alongside this drop in fertility as people wait longer to have children, and natural fertility continues to drop
3) New fertility technologies are direly needed to increase access
We need new ways to pay for IVF, cheaper / more accessible IVF, better embryo screening, and most of all the ability to generate eggs and sperm from stem cells. We also need clearer regulations in this area, that do not stifle innovation and pay due respect to the creation of new life.
MarsBio is launching a fertility consortium and we are recruiting scientists to join us in finding ways to solve this impending crisis. Please get in touch if you would like to be a part of our effort.