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Trending: The people who want humans to stop having babies

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The people who want humans to stop having babies

09/08/2019 GMT

BBC World Service - Trending, The people who want humans to stop having babies

Who are the “anti-natalists” and why do they want the gradual extinction of humanity?

“Anti-natalists” believe human life only brings suffering. Who are they and how has social media spread their beliefs to some very mainstream places?

Have you ever wondered what would happen to humanity if we all stopped having babies? The extinction of the human race may be a scary thought to most of us, but not for the “anti-natalists”. 

They’re a thriving online community based on Facebook and Reddit that firmly believes human life only brings suffering and should therefore come to an end. 

While some entertain the idea on a purely philosophical level, others say reducing the number of people on Earth is an imperative to combat climate change. 

So what exactly motivates the anti-natalists? And how seriously should we take some of their rather controversial views and arguments? We have been following their conversations online and spoken to a number of anti-natalists who want a worldwide birth stop now. 

Presenter: Mike Wendling
Reporter: Jonathan Griffin

(Photo: Red ban sign over baby's picture. Credit: Getty Images)

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