One US scientist has genetically designed a new species of bacteria from the ground up.

This technology could be used to genetically modify the human Chlamydia bacteria so to enhance its ability to cause sterility, enhance its contagiousness but reduce the severity of any other symptoms it might cause.

You would then have an extremely efficient, self replicating global contraception that would rapdily reduce the fecundity of the human race, particularly in the third world where it is needed most. And as with all human diseases, immunity to it within the effected populations will build over the generations until its effects become negligable. In which case we may have to create a new strain of the bacterium.

We need to get over this religious notion that humans are of eminent importance and priority on this planet. We are a part of evolutionary creation and must fit into it rather than attempt to make evolutionary creation fit around our ever expanding numbers and 'wants'.

If we see nothing wrong with controlling the fertility of other animals in African game reserves, so as to preserve the environment in them and therefore the animals whose fertility is being controlled, then why should we not be prepared to do the same for our own species in order to ensure our own long term survival.

Sure it is trampling on the basic human right to have children but, in the third world, the basic human right to simply live is being trampled on by sheer weight of numbers. Which is the lesser of two evils? The above method is akin to drawing straws where all players have a more or less equal chance of drawing a short straw and being unable to have children.

"We have plenty of land and resources to share with a lot more people than we have now."

Plenty of land and plenty of resources for the moment, but no where near enough water.

Do you propose that we urbanise the red centre?

Bloody ignorant fool!

LOL - Richie10 - I went to the beach the other day and asked JFK if he wanted to take a dip with me and Joan of Arc. He hopped in and said, 'Hey, hot enough for ya?' Joan of Arc said, 'I've had worse.'

Your bloodsucking holy Joes are the kings and feudal lords of corporate finance who are not waiting to inherit the earth. They’re taking it now, tax-free by tapping into the business market with maniacal religious fervour.

Religion has the advantage over the commercial world in that they do not have to pay tax, they do not file tax returns, they get government concessions and grants, much of their workforce is voluntary so they have relatively small wage bills, and there is little accountability and transparency about what they do or how they spend the money. And 'God' loves happy clappers like you.

Consider the following “Money Pot” Pentecostal revenue earners in 2004:

i. Hillsong Church $40 million

ii. Christian City $38 million

iii. Paradise Community $ 5.3 million

iv. Cornerstone Community $ 3.8 million

The five biggest religious groups in Australia turned over $21.6 billion in 2004, with the Roman Catholic Church making more revenue than the other four put together. Through its vast empire of health and education the Catholic Church earned:

At least $5.28 billion from its 1700 schools
At least $5 billion from health, which includes 65 hospitals and more than 485 aged-care homes and hostels
At least $3.2 billion from property rentals
At least $4 billion in superannuation funds under management that BRW could locate.
And the biggest employer in Australia – employing 180,000 people.

"Socialist ideas" Ritchie10?

American fundamentalist, Gary North announced decades ago:

"We will train up a generation of people who know that there is no religious neutrality, no neutral law, no neutral education, and no neutral civil government. Then they will get busy in constructing a Bible-based social, political and religious order which finally denies the religious liberty of the enemies of God."

Well, they've done it, thanks to born again stupids like you. Now go away!

Fur heavens sake, Ludwig - maybe Fester and Protagoras have got to the bottom of the problem.

Human beings are noxious pests who should all be machine-gunned - for a better society.

Peter,

For a society of what ? If you are serious, you have some real problems.

Joe