Dr. Lapp’s Sperm Bank
1957: Atomic physicist Ralph Lapp urged that the government should start stockpiling human sperm in lead-lined containers for use following a nuclear war.
In the radioactive shambles following an all-out hydrogen-bomb war, female survivors would thus have a source of prewar unirradiated sperm to replace that of her irradiated husband. “This would mean many children will have the same father, and even grandfather,” Lapp pointed out. “But it would cut the genetic consequences [of all-out war] more than in half, since the female is less sensitive to radiation than the male in terms of the sperm versus the ovum.”
New York Daily News - June 6, 1957
Newsweek - June 17, 1957
Comments
Dr. Strangelove, for real.
Posted by Virtual on 01/15/19 at 10:38 AM
Wasn't the lapp dance named after him?
Posted by Virtual on 01/15/19 at 10:40 AM
With today's dwindling sperm count, especially in white males, it would have been a great idea. Too bad they didn't do it and we're stuck with inferior products and $10 000 fees in fertility clinics.
Posted by Yudith on 01/16/19 at 06:14 AM
In a post-nuclear era I would think seeking safe food and shelter sources would take precedence over producing vulnerable humans that would have a tougher time growing to maturity in light of scarce resources and radiation poisoned air.
agent j
agent j
Posted by agent j on 01/16/19 at 05:22 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1950s