High fertility rates among particular religious groups opposed to birth control and abortion make it more difficult to control human populations whose continuing growth threatens ecosystem health and sustainability. This poster aims to summarize the differing positions on human reproduction of the Catholic Church and biological scientists and explores the possibilities for reconciliation of inconsistencies between scientific and religious understandings of human reproduction. Two hypotheses motivate this examination of opposing views: First, better understanding of the facts of human reproductive biology and ecological processes might help inspire the Church to reexamine ethical positions that may rely on pre-scientific understandings or myths inconsistent with current scientific knowledge. Even absolute ethical standards require correct understanding of facts for their reasonable application. Second, learning reproductive biology, sociobiology and ecological principles could help inform reformulation of Church ethical teachings on birth control and abortion to make them more effective in promoting the Church’s mission.

Results/Conclusions

Current U.N. projections forecast human population will grow from the current 6.7 billion level to 9-10 billion by 2050. High fertility in poor countries means most of the additional population growth (3-4 billion by 2050) will occur in places having trouble feeding current populations. Complex interdependent human economic systems have proven vulnerable to catastrophic instability and collapses such as financial crises and organized mass violence. Some ecologists believe human populations may rise then fall during this century in an overshoot and collapse scenario. The human agenda during the 21^st century includes making choices about sustainable populations and sustainable economic output. Religious positions on those choices should be informed by ecological perspectives.