Infertility as a Stage in Species' Development and Aging Species. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grech, Victor; Vassallo, Clare; Callus, Ivan
• Is Part Of: World future review. Volume 7:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: science fiction -- infertility -- aging; Forecasting -- Periodicals; Forecasting -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Social prediction -- Periodicals; Social indicators -- Periodicals; 303.49
• DOI: 10.1177/1946756713505318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1946-7567

Abstract

Impotence and sterility linked naturally with age have frequently been a topic of science fiction (SF) narratives. Sterility in SF has also been depicted as a natural lost step in human development, up to and even beyond death. This article compares narratives from a variety of SF media that all deal with infertility as a stage in species' development, or as an effect of the overall aging and loss of vitality of a species and attempts to determine common points and conclusions, with a view toward reassessing the practicality/desirability of indefinite life extension.