heavy thinkin, no heavy breathing

By ( articles ) | Jun 20, 2006

The Rand-Europe think-tank has determined that fertility rates rise in places where in vitro fertility treatment is available.

Well gee, thanks, guys. And I bet hamburgers are more commonplace in neighborhoods that have a McDonald's franchise, too.

But seriously, Rand-Europe has noticed a major public-policy problem: European couples aren't having babies. And where there's a public-policy problem, there must perforce by a government program. Increased funding for artificial reproduction is a first step.

OK, now let's see. Is there any other way to boost the rate of childbirth? Maybe government-funded candlelit dinners and moonlight cruises?

Or maybe-- just maybe-- the government could stop supporting something that interferes with reproduction. Try this: Go into the local pharmacies, take all the contraceptives off the shelves, and throw them in the trash. See what that does to fertility rates.