Reinventing the Condom
By Olamide Orekunrin, MD of Flying Doctors Nigeria
Two years ago, in March 2013, Bill Gates announced a new project through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fund research into next generation condoms.
Condoms are cheap, easily manufactured, and widely available worldwide. However, for condoms to reach their full potential in preventing the spread of disease, unwanted pregnancies, women’s empowerment, the next generation condom must offer a superior user experience.
The Gates foundation has offered grants of $100,000 to over 50 researchers inadvertently starting a global race to produce the next generation condom.
The most interesting contender is the hydrogel condom. An idea from a group of scientists in Australia. "Project Geldom” will use a strong, skin-like material to get closer than ever before to recreating the feel of unprotected sex while still offering protection.
By incorporating viagra and lubricant into the matrix it will make people want to actually use them, rather than being resigned to doing so.
Other contenders include a condom made from cow parts, a condom that uses a material that shrinks when it touches the body providing a perfect fit. Another team combined opening the condom package with application — in a single seamless gesture —no more fumbling in the dark!
More pleasure, less disease and fewer unwanted pregnancies will definitely make the world a better place. So the race is on and the world is waiting for the condom to finally come of age.
Questions
- Do you think the Gates foundation was right to focus on this?
- Are the ideas feasible?
- Will these ideas actually make a difference to women in Africa?
- Is it realistic?
Leave your answers in the comments below!
Venture Partner, Africa. IndulgeCap
9 年In the spirit of "inclusion" and to the benefit of the larger unsuspecting public, pray tell, did any of the teams consider manufacturing the next generation condom for the growing LGBT community?