LETTERS: Short and sweet

From Dr B. P. Curwain

Sir: On 26 July, you reported that our sperm counts are rapidly decreasing. On 27 July, you carried a brief piece saying that over the last 10 years, the number of childless women in their mid-thirties has doubled. Is there, I wonder, a connection here?

Friends of the Earth are apparently worried about our failing semen. Surely, as mankind is the major polluter and squanderer of resources on this planet, they might conclude that, though it clearly requires research, this cloud could have a silver lining.

An ageing, less reproductive population might not be such a bad thing. A long retirement is hard to finance and, for the individual, may be hard to cope with. If there is to be a shortage of nubile nurses to look after us, we'll just have to work till we drop, and maintain our sense of purpose and value in our communities to the end of our days.

Yours faithfully,

B. P. Curwain

Hinton, Dorset

28 July