From: nanowave (nanowave@shaw.ca)
Date: Thu Feb 06 2003 - 00:48:49 MST
The recent discovery that sperm use temperature guidance or "thermotaxis" to
navigate the fallopian tubes and locate the egg[1] has led to a landmark
collaboration between Hughes Aircraft Corporation, makers of the AH-64D
"Longbow" Apache helicopter[2] and Organon, developer of the NuvaRing
Vaginal contraceptive device[3] to produce the first "heat shielding
contraceptive capsule" (HSCC).
The birth control pill sized capsule makes use of gastrointestinal acoustics
as well as an undisclosed form of microfluidic propulsion to outpace the
sperm to the target egg whereupon it is mechanically enveloped. A series of
lateral vents are then employed to dissipate the egg's heat thereby
disguising it's IR signature and confounding the sperm's internal guidance
systems.
A company insider at Organon claims that it's a design which has been on the
drawing boards for several of years but which has been delayed for lack of a
suitably small energy source - a deficiency which has now been overcome[4].
Although the device is still in the field testing stage, engineers from both
companies are already collaborating with the Black Flag Corporation[5] to
develop a complimentary device which does not travel to the egg, but which
remains within the vagina radiating a comparatively large IR signature of
its own. It is hoped that the sperm will be attracted to this artificial IR
source which comprises numerous microscopic orifices through which the sperm
may only pass in one direction.
Asked whether these revolutionary new devices will be able to economically
compete with more conventional forms of birth control, a Hughes Aircraft
spokesperson replied: "The key issue is perhaps not so much that these
devices will cost more, but the important scientific breakthroughs they
represent along with the projected commercial spin-offs we are likely to see
materializing over the course of the next few years."
[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/02/030203071703.htm
[2] http://www.jolly-rogers.com/airpower/ah-64d/64d-str.htm
[3] http://www.organon-usa.com/authfiles/index.asp
[4] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/02/030205073254.htm
[5] http://www.keysan.com/ksupe10a.htm
Russell Evermore
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