Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

Author Steven Mosher argues that for over half a century, those committed to population control have perpetrated a gigantic, costly, and inhumane fraud upon the human race.  They have robbed people of the developing countries of their progeny and the people of the developed world of their pocketbooks.  Determined to stop population growth at all costs, those Mosher calls "population controllers" have abused women, targeted racial and religious minorities, undermined primary health care programs, and even encouraged dictatorial actions.

Advocates for the overpopulation premises conjure up images of poverty - low incomes, poor health, unemployment, malnutrition, overcrowded housing to justify anti-natal programs.  The irony is that such policies have in many ways caused what they predicted - a world which is poorer materially, less diverse culturally, less advanced economically, and plagued by disease.  Many in the movement want to see negative population numbers.  Such a goal would be counterproductive to its avowed aims as well as have dangerous consequences for the global environment.

Steven W. Mosher is President of Population Research Institute ( www.pop.org) and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on population studies.  He is the author of several books and articles.  His work has appeared in many publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic and National Review.