Podcaster Joe Rogan has warned that the United States could face a dystopian future reminiscent of the 2006 film 'Children of Men' unless action is taken to address toxins in food. The 58-year-old made the comments during an episode of his podcast with environmental epidemiologist Shanna H Swan, discussing the link between chemicals in food and declining birth rates.
Rogan and Swan highlighted the impact of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on fertility. 'The big part seems to be that we're being poisoned, and we're doing it by virtue of our modern world where so much of your life relies on plastic,' Rogan said. The average number of children per American household has fallen from 3.62 in 1960 to 1.73 in 2018, according to Population Education.
Swan pointed to studies showing that animals, such as alligators, have experienced reduced genital size and less durable eggs due to chemical pollution, drawing parallels to human health. The pair also referenced a New York University study linking nearly two million preterm births worldwide to the chemical DEHP, found in plastics, cosmetics and detergents. DEHP has been associated with cancer, heart disease and infertility.
Rogan expressed concern that the combination of chemical exposure and later childbearing could lead to a future where women stop getting pregnant, as depicted in 'Children of Men'. Swan noted that lower birth rates create societal problems, with fewer young people to care for an ageing population. 'Fertility is in the toilet,' she said.
