What's this "contain population growth in the third world"....who gets to make that sort of decision? How do we go about this?

Well, to start with we could try to set up more equitable food distribution systems, perhaps give some aid (debt relief would be nice) towards reviving economys where we can. Bluntly, even leaving birth control, sexual behaviours, etc. out of the equation, economically stable, successful and well fed societies have lower birth rates.

Or we could take Johnathon Swifts 'suggestion.' It would solve population and food production problems. (TIC)

Seriously, I'm kinda wary of 'population control' arguments, because sooner or later someone boils it down to "get rid of poverty by getting rid of the poor." And then they tell me that having kids while living under the poverty line is irresponsible. Then they remember my Mom and Dad (under the poverty line most of my childhood) had 7 of us....and apologise 'cause of course they didn't mean people 'like us'....they meant people like 'them' And I'm reminded of the scholar Darwin quoted in his "Descent of Man" who talked about how somehow the wrong people kept on reproducing themselves and used the Irish as an example of a group that was polluting the race.....shiver.....

Sorry Bill, don't think this is all aimed at you....your comment sparked a sore spot of mine, and a certain amount of free associating resulted. hope you kind 'catters don't mind.

Pax,
Ceitagh Ceit