Two goals: male birth-control pill, sustainable agriculture
There are two fundamental ways in which the Gates Foundation could pursue their technological agenda, deflect criticism that they are not bolstering basic-health needs and assist in the amelioration of adverse climate-change effects [“$10b for vaccines, plus a plea from Gates,” page one, Jan. 30].
One would be to deploy the vast intellectual resources of the Gates Foundation to focus on the speedy development of a safe and effective male birth-control pill. Distribution by the foundation of sought-after immunization drugs would be tied in with the distribution of the pill.
Relieving economically and helpless women of the burdens of relentless birthing would free up survival resources and possibly lead to self-actualization. New cultural priorities would concomitantly reduce the population pressures on the nonrenewable resources of our imperiled planet, including its finite ability to absorb the carbon monoxide each human produces — requiring roughly seven mature trees to absorb.
The other way the foundation could really make a true difference would be to tie its funding with the incentive-supported promotion of ecologically sustainable agriculture. This would require a commitment by recipients to transition from environmentally destructive meat-based systems, which contribute enormously to deforestation for service-animal feed (such as soy beans) — and according to many credible sources, utilize more fossil fuels than any other industry — to plant-based systems that are ecologically compatible with the given region.
Of course, to accomplish a quid pro quo of this order would no doubt require the highest caliber of diplomacy and visionary thinking. Since the Gates Foundation is apparently dedicated to its newfound ambassadorial roles, I have no doubt they are up to the challenge if the will is there.
— Valerie Bittner, Kenmore
Vaccinate and then educate
Bill and Melinda Gates’ great humanitarian effort to vaccinate the children of the world — so that an estimated 8 million children will live who might otherwise have died — is heartwarming.
But what will these 8 million children do if their mothers are exhausted by another child already on the way? How will they be fed? How will they be educated? And most important, how will they ever be able to find a job when the underdeveloped world already has huge numbers of unemployed?
Having worked in education for four years in a developing country, I know that jobs are a critical survival need. Without education and real jobs, the future for these 8 million children is bleak.
If the Gates Foundation were to follow [Bill Gates’] mother Mary Gates’ belief in contraception education, it would make me truly hopeful for the world’s children. Catholics who let their beliefs ignore the plight of mothers and the realities of raising a child must be challenged.
— Alene H Moris, Seattle