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Bill Gates offers $1 mn for a 'better' condom
Tuesday March 26, 2013 01:46:46 PM,
IANS
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Washington: Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill
Gates has set his sights and his vast wealth on a new way to
improve the world - offering up to $1 million to anyone who can
invent a "better" condom.
"We are looking for a 'Next Generation Condom' that significantly
preserves or enhances pleasure, in order to improve uptake and
regular use," the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said on its
"Grand Challenges in Global Health" website.
Gates is offering $100,000 in start-up funds and up to $1 million
in additional money if the project is deemed promising.
"The primary drawback from the male perspective is that condoms
decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off
that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the
decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse," the
statement added.
The foundation estimates that 15 billion condoms are manufactured
each year throughout the world, with 750 million users.
But it says that while condoms have been around for some 400
years, "they have undergone very little technological improvement
in the last 50 years".
"Is it possible to develop a product without this stigma, or
better, one that is felt to enhance pleasure? If so, would such a
product lead to substantial benefits for global health, both in
terms of reducing the incidence of unplanned pregnancies and in
prevention of infection with HIV or other STIs (sexually
transmitted infections)?"
The foundation said it is also looking for additional concepts and
designs that make male and female condoms easier to use, as well
as ideas for better packaging.
It also said it will consider applications for new materials, new
shapes or designs, or scientific ways to make condoms more
desirable to use.
This is the 11th round of the foundation's Grand Challenges
Explorations project, which is aimed at improving the lives of the
world's poorest people.
Since launching Grand Challenges in 2008, the foundation says it
has funded more than 800 grants in 52 countries and paid out $450
million for projects such as childhood vaccines and controlling
insects that spread disease.
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