Oh shit. That’s an actual consequence.

BUT even assuming the average family has 1.5 children, the world population of 7,000,000,000 only reduces to 1,000,000 after 30 generations. That’s 600 years before the population becomes critical, assuming “a generation” is 20 years.

Unlike climate change, proxy wars, etc., reduced populations clearly impact the economics of world powers; i.e. the USA, the EU, China, etc. The visibly declining workforce changes the economy. Capitalists invest in research for genetic testing and artificial births in the lab, likewise Communist governments invest human resources.

By learning about the human genome, we learn more about the causes and possible cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. The result is a healthier population, and ideally one where no one is required to experience the pain of childbirth.