According to the Gates Foundation, condoms have seen “very little technological improvement in the last 50 years.”
So what is a “next-gen condom?” At this point no one is quite sure, but if the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has anything to say about it, the world will be learning just that, and relatively soon too. According to CNET,
The foundation is seeking new ideas that improve on condom design, which it describes as having seen “very little technological improvement in the last 50 years.” The winning proposal gets a cool $100,000, and could potentially earn more in additional funding.
The foundation suggests that if a redesigned condom could enhance a sexual experience and not detract from it, more men would use one, therefore reducing disease transmission, unwanted pregnancies, and so on. The request also seeks ideas “that increase ease-of-use for male and female condoms, for example better packaging or designs that are easier to properly apply. In addition, attributes that address and overcome cultural barriers are also desired.”
According to the Gates’ website, Grand Challenges in Global Health, “the condom must be inexpensive to produce and prevent pregnancy and HIV infection.” Submissions for “condom-changing ideas” can be submitted to the website by 11:30 a.m. PT on May 7.
Photo: meddygarnet/Flickr