Laptops Linked to Infertility
Trendopoly — May 14, 2007 — Unique
References: wired
Working from home is great - you just load up your laptop and stretch out in your pyjamas! But, working on a laptop may not be all it's cracked up to be. A health study has indicated that men who work with their laptop on their laps are at risk for infertility problems and testicular dysfunction.
"Men who regularly balance their laptop computers on their laps when working may be jeopardizing their ability to have children, according to a... study from fertility researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The potential risk comes from the heat generated by the laptop computer and the close position of one's thighs when balancing the computer on one's lap, the researchers found. This heat is transferred to the scrotum, where the temperature can rise several degrees, putting users within the danger zone for testicular dysfunction."
Implications - Though technology is a staple in the daily life of a consumer, health risks still need to be considered.
"Men who regularly balance their laptop computers on their laps when working may be jeopardizing their ability to have children, according to a... study from fertility researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The potential risk comes from the heat generated by the laptop computer and the close position of one's thighs when balancing the computer on one's lap, the researchers found. This heat is transferred to the scrotum, where the temperature can rise several degrees, putting users within the danger zone for testicular dysfunction."
Implications - Though technology is a staple in the daily life of a consumer, health risks still need to be considered.
Trend Themes
1. Infertility Risk - As laptops show increased ties to infertility in men, there is a growing demand for more ergonomic devices and alternative ways to work.
2. Health-conscious Tech - Consumer electronics companies must consider health implications and create new products that offer comparable utility while minimizing risk.
3. Fertility Tests - As male infertility risks become more well-known, there is a growing need for technologies and services to test and measure fertility rates.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - Consumer electronics companies must create safer, health-conscious products to meet growing demand from more health-conscious consumers.
2. Healthcare - Healthcare providers and companies focused on men's health may see an increase in demand for fertility testing and treatment services.
3. Workplace Solutions - As more men become aware of the risks associated with working on laptops, there is an opening for companies to create and market alternative workplace solutions that mitigate these risks and provide comparable utility.
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