Remote control birth control

Spin Echo · Post by **Spin Echo** » 2008-02-10 03:27pm

VASECTOMIES could be a thing of the past thanks to Australian scientists who are developing a remote-controlled contraceptive implant for men.

The device stops and starts the flow of sperm with the push of a button, similar to locking a car with a key fob.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide say the valve would remain shut most of the time to act as a contraceptive barrier.

A man would use the remote control to open the valve and allow the sperm to pass through when he and his partner wanted to conceive.

The implant, still in laboratory testing, would provide a much-needed alternative to vasectomy, a surgical procedure not easily reversed if a man changes his mind.

Australia has one of the highest vasectomy rates in the developed world.

A Marie Stopes International (MSI) survey of 1000 men in 2005 found 29 per cent of men aged 40 to 49 and 34 per cent of men aged 50 to 59 had had the procedure.

MSI acting chief executive Jill Michelson said women tended to bear the burden of preventing unwanted pregnancies and men needed to take more responsibility.

"Any new form of contraception is always a good thing," she said.

The implant being devised by the team of biomedical engineers is made from a specially coated silicone-based material to reduce the risk of infection or rejection by the body.

No larger than a grain of rice, it would be inserted into the vas deferens - the duct which carries sperm from each testicle to the penis - using a hypodermic needle.

A transmitter outside the body would send a coded radio frequency pulse to an ID tag inside the body, causing the valve to open and close in response to a unique code.

Project founder Professor Derek Abbott said the valve didn't need a battery as the energy comes from the radio signal.

But he said after a while the valve may clog with protein and remain shut, rendering the man permanently infertile.

I had this idea years ago.

FireNexus · Post by **FireNexus** » 2008-02-10 05:09pm

Wouldn't that have the same problem as the plug, where the body creates antibodies against the sperm?

Me, I'll stick with RISUG.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2008-02-11 06:33pm

Finally!

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2008-02-12 10:14am

FireNexus wrote:Wouldn't that have the same problem as the plug, where the body creates antibodies against the sperm?

Me, I'll stick with RISUG.

I wouldn't think it'd be a problem if you only have it turned on when in a situation where the birth control effect is needed.

I'm am somewhat curious how things would feel when the block is turned on. From the article it looks like it only blocks the sperm so the rest of an ejaculation would proceed as normal if I'm understanding things correctly.

The article mentions clogs potentially keeping the valve shut but a clog keeping it open should also be a potential concern if this is going to be sold as a form of birth control.

Justforfun000 · Post by **Justforfun000** » 2008-02-12 02:43pm

Agh. Am I one of the few males that just finds any discussion of sharp objects going anywhere near that area enough to make me stomach sick?

I can't even stand testicular examinations. I feel like vomiting when it's being done. I know it's a lot easier for men to undergo an operation then a women for birth control purposes, but I can certainly say I'm very happy it doesn't concern me one way or the other. Gah.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-02-12 04:21pm

Justforfun000 wrote:Agh. Am I one of the few males that just finds any discussion of sharp objects going anywhere near that area enough to make me stomach sick?

I've always thought that reaction was pretty normal for guys. After all, males that don't take care of the testes tend to not leave descendants, and there's nothing like making a critter hypervigilant about guarding body-part to prevent injury. There's considerable evolutionary pressure to develop means of avoiding injury to that area - including what you describe.

As for the device in the OP - it's an intriguing idea, except for the cost/trauma/difficulty of removing, replacing, or fixing it if something goes wrong.

Justforfun000 · Post by **Justforfun000** » 2008-02-12 05:49pm

Broomstick Wrote:

I've always thought that reaction was pretty normal for guys.

Well to a general degree, yes, but for example I had a discussion with an older guy who had a vasectomy done and was describing the procedure and how the needle being inserted was a fair bit of an 'ouch' procedure. See I can't even imagine allowing someone to do something like to me asleep never mind awake. I obviously have a much greater ick factor than this guy had.

*As I'm squeezing my legs shut repeatedly while typing this.*

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2008-02-13 04:48pm

This device sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. The first guy who impregnates someone while using the device will claim that it malfunctioned, and then demand child support payments forever.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2008-02-13 04:59pm

Darth Wong wrote:This device sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. The first guy who impregnates someone while using the device will claim that it malfunctioned, and then demand child support payments forever.

Wouldn't the company be able to get by with some disclaimer about how effective the device is or what it's potential failure rate is?

I'm coming at this from the point of view that condoms aren't 100% effective, even without breakage, and I haven't heard about people suing the condom companies for "pain and suffering" (ie child support).

Of course that doesn't mean the law suits haven't happened just that they've passed my little world by.

bilateralrope · Post by **bilateralrope** » 2008-02-13 05:15pm

Darth Wong wrote:This device sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. The first guy who impregnates someone while using the device will claim that it malfunctioned, and then demand child support payments forever.

What about someone spoofing the signal and opening the valve without the guys knowledge ?

The article does mention an ID tag in the signal, so I'll assume that brute forcing a random persons implant isn't an issue. But how easy would it be to figure out someone's signal if you get hold of their remote ?

Ryan Thunder · Post by **Ryan Thunder** » 2008-02-13 07:10pm

bilateralrope wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:This device sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. The first guy who impregnates someone while using the device will claim that it malfunctioned, and then demand child support payments forever.
What about someone spoofing the signal and opening the valve without the guys knowledge ?

The article does mention an ID tag in the signal, so I'll assume that brute forcing a random persons implant isn't an issue. But how easy would it be to figure out someone's signal if you get hold of their remote ?

What would the point be?

bilateralrope · Post by **bilateralrope** » 2008-02-13 07:25pm

Apart from someone just being an asshole I can't think of any reason to spoof the signal.

PREDATOR490 · Post by **PREDATOR490** » 2008-02-13 07:47pm

Why do I envision these remotes being on key chains for most people since you will get the people who have the 'wishful thinking' mindset of 'getting lucky'.
Regardless, I suspect it would be pretty funny if you have these things on keychains with someone else switching them on and off while the guy is elsewhere.
Would the victim know it was being done or would they be left unawares ?
I dont much like the image of this implant being turned on by mistake or someone being a jerk only to cause problems with clogs. Nevermind if it causes pain when it happens.

Walk though the town center with a powerful remote and laugh as all the guys around you start grabing their nuts in discomfort... You just know some malicious shit would come up with the idea.