Has family planning a future

Population is a subject that touches issues central to the human condition including personal freedom and the very definition of economic and social progress. Hence it is understandable that people and their governments may have a wide range of views on this and related subjects. Some researchers admit that rapid population growth is more likely to impede progress than to promote it and conclude that even if the economic grounds for family planning are not as compelling as some maintain it is amply justified on the basis of individual family health and welfare. It would be naive to think that family planning alone can solve the problems of developing countries. But it would seem to be equally naive to believe that these problems can be solved without some family planning. It cannot be overemphasized that the impact of family planning goes far beyond the issues of population growth and economic development; it is an important tool to improve the health status of populations especially in developing countries. The logical conclusion seems to be that there is a need for a much wider variety of safe and effective methods of fertility regulation that will suit the individual situation the socioeconomic condition and the cultural and religious values of different couples. To develop new and safe methods and to provide answers to the questions posed research is needed. There are 7 cardinal elements negatively affecting greatly needed research and development efforts at present: insufficient funding hostile philosophies liability issues the drug regulatory climate shortage in manpower relative paucity of new ideas and gaps in communication. What is needed now is that mankind shows a little more generosity towards itself and invests a bit more into research in family planning. Experience and history also indicate that research is a cost-effective investment in many areas. To invest in research in family planning means to invest in a brighter future.