That's the earliest year I remember hearing about a male birth control pill. There are probably articles from years prior to 2010. Obviously this is a great advancement, but is it reasonable to expect one of these to actually come to market within the next decade?

Edit: Actually, this is discussed in an article linked to by the Scientific American article:

A joke among researchers in the field of male contraception is that a clinically approved alternative to condoms or vasectomy has been five to 10 years away for the past 40 years.

[–] I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world 24 points 3 days ago (9 children)

Female birth control has to be safer and have fewer side effects than pregnancy.

Male birth control has to be safer and have fewer side effects than letting women carry the burden of birth control.

There will not be a male birth control pill. We would be better off putting these resources toward improving the safety of female birth control.

[–] xodoh74984@lemmy.world 24 points 3 days ago (3 children)

At first read that came off as callous, but I see your point. I had that thought as well regarding improving female birth control. Where's the research into a hormone-free pill for women?

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Callous or not, it's hard to justify trials ethically for that reason. Yes, it would be better for society as a whole, even if it could potentially be worse for an individual; but is it ethically right to burn up an individual for the sake of society? And now if you'll excuse me, I have to walk away from Omelas.

Edit: Pre-empting a question: Yes, I walk. I recognize that the trolley would be quicker.

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