READY FOR TESTING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30128, 11 May 1963, Page 11

READY FOR TESTING

Birth-Control Pill For Men

(N.Z- Press Assn.—Copyright)

WASHINGTON May 8

A birth control pil ; for men is now ready for practical tests, a world population control symposium was told today. United Press International reported

The oral contraceptive appeared to work effectively on laboratory animals when taken once a month, the medical director of the American Population Council Dr Warren Nelson said today “If these drugs are as effective in man as they are in animals, and produce no unpleasant side effects it is passible that we will have available a method whereby rhe ingestion of a single pill once every month wil] control male fertility for any desired period of time.” he said

The pill does not diminish malt sex drives and no serious side effects have been observed ;n the laboratory animals

The sterility produced by the pil] was temporary. Dr Nelson reported, and normal fertility returned when use of the drug was halted It had been synthesised by the Ortho Research Foundation from a group of compounds known as the dinitronyrroles They apparently inhibit the production of male sperm cells.

“White Rajah” Dead.— Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, the “White Rajah” of Sarawak from 1917 to 1946. died in London today. The 88-year-old rajah had been- ill for some time.—London. May 9.