For the past few decades, concerned analysts have been complaining about overpopulation around the globe. Though some complain the U.S. is overpopulated, many point especially to undeveloped and developing nations as culprits in the "plight" of overpopulation. They blame babies for widespread poverty instead of implicating government corruption or the weaknesses of particular cultures.

These kinds of worries have ushered legal and convenient abortion services to countries where overpopulation is feared--including China, where couples who bear more than one child are forced to pay a fine or abort the baby.

Now the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, one of the world's most influential groups for reproductive science, has begun a program to provide fertility treatment for women in developing nations. The Society has already opened two IVF services in Africa.

What should we make of this? Is the Society truly interested in seeing more children born in developing and/or undeveloped countries? I'd call that a welcome change, but somehow I'm skeptical that the motives here are so pure.

But according to a Nigerian professor quoted in the news release linked above:

"In poor resource areas the need for infertility treatment in general, and IVF in particular, is great. The inability to have children can create enormous problems, particularly for the woman. She might be disinherited, ostracised, accused of witchcraft, abused by local healers, separated from her spouse, or abandoned to a second-class life in a polygamous marriage."

 Sounds like an altruistic venture, but what happened to the previous worries about overpopulation? And will these fertility clinics also provide abortions?