With the HIV pandemic come and gone, the global population faces another risk: global infertility. Irregardless of nationality, ethnicity, lifestyle or life regimen, no children have been born anywhere on the planet in the past fifteen years. Panic abounds. Extremist governments come to power in most countries. The whisper of a cure becomes a chant and soon rumors become reality. | |
The United States government announces a treatment that can restore fertility among its people. However, fertility comes at a cost. Legislation has quickly been passed. The treatment will only be administered under certain conditions. An individual must be in good health, between the ages of 16-50, and married. Furthermore, participation for all eligible individuals is not optional. Unmarried individuals of age will be listed in a lottery, and married with the intent to start a family. | |
Institutions have been erected. Before all matched couples are sent into their forced cohabitation, they are required to spend time together in government sanctioned counseling centers. Once each month they are required to undergo the fertility treatment, and they are expected to produce a child. Failure for one or both to do so will result in imprisonment until they comply. | |