Men Need Not Apply ---

NPR's All Things Considered contemplates the creation of sperm in the laboratory from stem cells, the shrinking Y chromosome, and societal changes in a series called "The End of Men?" Considering the growing gender imbalances due to selective abortions as mentioned earlier in this blog, I doubt that men will become an endangered sex (well, any more than they already are) any time soon. -- Linda Glenn

No More Selective Abortion in China

In an attempt to right an imbalanced gender ratio, and as part of its aggressive single-child policy, the Chinese government will outlaw selective abortions of female fetuses. But is this a naïve stopgap? As this Reuters article points out, fixing the gender gap is far more complex since the cards remain stacked against Chinese girls once they make it out of the womb. --Dominic Sisti