What Should It Take to Describe a Substance or Product as 'Sperm-Safe'?

March 2013 in “ Human Reproduction Update ”

David Mortimer, Christopher L. R. Barratt, Lars Björndahl, C. de Jager, Anne M. Jequier, Charles Müller

TLDR Products should be called 'sperm-safe' only after thorough, well-designed tests.

The review highlighted the adverse effects of various environmental, industrial, and pharmaceutical toxins on male reproductive potential and emphasized the lack of adequate pre-emptive testing for reproductive toxicological effects. It concluded that products should only be described as 'sperm-safe' after objective, well-designed experimental studies, rather than relying on assumptions or extrapolations from similar products. The authors called for the adoption of the precautionary principle to protect fertility potential, offspring health, and future generations.

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