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Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

scientificamerican.com

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Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#62
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it is juts about BPA, but a whole myriad of "chemicals" that we're surrounding ourselves with each day.

There are even chemicals in our brains!

I put the word "chemicals" in quotation marks because, of course, everything is a chemical. I just wanted to point out that we shouldn't pick just one chemical (e.g. BPA) and heap all the blame onto it. As a society, we have to be concerned about the potential dangers of every synthetic chemical

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#63

Are cell phones in our pockets to blame? The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27601711 More info here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27076112 Also here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26949865 And here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26206279 Here too: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24982785 More fuel for the fire: https:…

I'm gonna go with sitting and stress.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#64

I've personally become concerned recently with the abundance of BPA and it's effect on the endocrine system of men. Between disposable water bottles, aluminum can liners, and food stored in plastic containers, there's a huge amount of exposure to this endocrine disruptor. The article doesn't mention it in particular, but I think it's worth being cautious over.

For what it's worth, the limited research on that shows a tenuous relationship, and the reduction in sperm count is not apparently occurring in the same way in non-western countries which are exposed to as much (if not more) Bisphenol A. In addition, the analysis appears to deal with the mid 1970s onward, whereas Bisphenol A has been used commercially to cure resins and plastics since 1957, with a quick uptake in usa…

What do you mean when you say that non-western countries are "exposed" to BPA as much, or more, than the US?

There is a large difference between merely touching a product that has BPA in it and consuming BPA. Plasticizers in general are fat soluble and dissolve from a container into food quickly when heated. Which is why you shouldn't reheat anything, especially fatty foods, in plastic containers.

In the West we re-heat everything in plastic containers. I didn't think this was as big of a thing in non-western countries.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#65
post #60
post #51

This could be due to population size. Isn't there a species of fish where a male becomes a female when there are no other females left? It seems plausible that some mechanism is in place to self regulate.

If this theory was correct the males in India and China would be affected more than males in the western world.

Not if population density is the trigger. How could the body evolve to be aware of national boundaries?

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#67
post #38
post #33

-- Sorry for the comment -- I've deleted it

Having children is just one of many ways you can make an impact and "leave something behind" for the future.

Indeed. The excessive number of people on Earth is currently causing a major extinction event (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocene_extinction). Some might say that not having a kid is the best way to "leave something behind" for the future.

It's probably preferable to have some negative feedback in the human population explosion, without having to resort to wars.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#69
post #40

I've personally become concerned recently with the abundance of BPA and it's effect on the endocrine system of men. Between disposable water bottles, aluminum can liners, and food stored in plastic containers, there's a huge amount of exposure to this endocrine disruptor. The article doesn't mention it in particular, but I think it's worth being cautious over.

Completely agree and to that end I try my best to avoid eating, drinking or storing consumables in any plastics (I just don't trust them), which is really hard. Especially avoiding heating or reheating anything in plastic.

There was an excellent video/documentary that I watched a while back, in which a woman spent a month COMPLETELY avoiding plastics.

Sadly, the BPA levels in her blood did not drop significantly. It seems that even if YOU don't come into contact with these chemicals, chances are your food already has.

It informed me that if I really wanted to avoid plasticizers, I could never eat out, and would likely need to purchase my food from organic farmer's markets. A tough bill to swallow.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#70
post #33

-- Sorry for the comment -- I've deleted it

This mindset is extremely disturbing, that the only way to make a difference in the world is to reproduce. Really if you want to make the biggest impact on the most people, you won't bring any more consumers into the world.

I've never understood this argument. Nor the "if you really care about climate change you won't have kids" argument. If I have kids and teach them good values that's more future votes for action on climate change among other issues, and more people to spread good values around to others.

Don't get me wrong people who don't want kids shouldn't have kids because they'll resent their kids and likely be poorer parents for it. But claiming they're somehow doing the world a service by "not bringing more consumers into the world" or "reducing their carbon footprint" is just pure rationalization. Kids are not intrinsically a net negative for the environment or society.

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