Birth-control Research Plan

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32030, 3 July 1969, Page 13

Birth-control Research Plan

(NZ. Prat Asm.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, July 2. The United States Government yesterday announced a major new effort to develop an array of new, safe, in* expensive and effective birth-control methods—including a “modern male method” by pills or injections in contrast to such present male methods as the use of condoms, the Associated Press reports.

The programme will also seek “a more reliable rhythm method” that would be acceptable to the Roman Catholic Church.

The, National Institute of Child Health and Development (N.1.C.H.D.) said that the programme would be started with 53m covering 75 contracts concerned with the development of new con-

traceptive methods for both men and women and with “the scientific analysis of behavioural aspects of population.” Scientists at a news conference called to announce the venture indicated it would be expanded later. The programme, for one thing, is aimed at delaying an expected 7000 m population by the year 2000 if the present population explosion continues. Dr Phillip Corfman, director of the institute’s Centre for Population Research, told reporters that the programme was being undertaken because present methods of birth control including oral pills and intra-uterine devices, while highly effective, have certain drawbacks, including potential side effects.

He said that the present methods of birth control have reached “a biological dead end” and a major quest for improvement is indicated. Dr Gerald Laveck, director of the institute, declaring

“we do not yet have an ideal contraceptive," added that “the specific goal of the research programme announced today ij the development of an array of contraceptive methods which are

effective, safe, reliable, inexpensive, and suited to the diverse requirements Of the world’s varied population groups.” Dr Laveck said: “The newly-funded contracts are designed to clarify the processes involved in reproduction and to suggest means of altering these processes for the purposes of controlling fertility. “From this information, new contraceptive methods will be developed, their medical effects will be assessed and improvements in new and old methods undertaken.” Dr Corman said, however, it would probably take from five to 10 years from now to develop such new techniques and make them generally available to the world’s population.

In saying there appears to be promise of developing some form of pills or an injection to be given to males. Dr Corfman said one specific area of research to be explored was the possibility at

least as indicated in some animals such as rabbits—that the male sperm could be modified inside the female womb so that it could not penetrate the female egg and thus fertilise it