Recently, several posts on X and Facebook have been circulating a claim that 14 countries have signed a treaty to ban natural conception by the year 2030.
The source of this claim appears to be an article by The People’s Voice (TPV), a U.S.-based publication with a well-documented track record of spreading inaccurate or misleading information. We have fact-checked their content in the past and found that they frequently employ misleading tactics—such as prominently displaying a “fact-checked” label at the top of their articles—to create a false sense of legitimacy.
Given the attention-grabbing nature of the claim and the online traction it has received, we decided to take a closer look at whether 14 countries agreed to outlaw natural reproduction by 2030 and which nations were named.
Dissecting TPV’s claims
The TPV article claims that global elites—allegedly led by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations—are using China’s controversial (and now rescinded) one-child policy as a model for a dystopian global agenda. According to the article, this includes the use of artificial wombs to replace natural reproduction, framing it as an orchestrated effort to control future generations and undermine parental rights.
The article further claims that WEF is backing controversial scientific research aimed at replacing natural reproduction. It references work by Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi at Kyushu University, who has made advancements by successfully creating mice with two biological fathers by generating egg cells from male cells, and speculates that similar breakthroughs in humans will be used for population control.
What the research actually says
The research by Professor Hayashi, which made international headlines in 2023, was notable for being the first time viable eggs were successfully cultivated from male cells—marking a significant milestone in reproductive science. Following this breakthrough, researchers hypothesized that it might one day be possible to create viable human eggs from human cells in a lab setting. However, this field of research remains in its early stages and is primarily focused on addressing challenges such as infertility and genetic disorders. Contrary to TPV’s claims, it is not aimed at replacing natural reproduction or enabling population control.
The TPV article relies heavily on conspiratorial framing, speculation, and a distorted interpretation of emerging scientific developments—without providing any credible evidence to support its claims. Notably, it offers no details about the 14 countries it alleges have signed a treaty to ban natural reproduction, nor does it provide any verifiable information about the existence of such a treaty.
Clarifying WEF’s stance
We also found no evidence on WEF’s website, social media channels, or in any official press releases that the organisation is promoting or supporting a ban on natural conception. In fact, when similar claims surfaced in 2023—also based on Professor Hayashi’s research and falsely alleging that the WEF was calling for lab-grown babies by 2030—a WEF spokesperson told Reuters: “The World Economic Forum never called for banning natural conception and lab grown babies. The Forum also never funded such research.”
Therefore, we rate the claim that 14 nations have signed a treaty to ban natural conception by 2030 as false. There is no credible evidence such a treaty exists, and the claim appears to be fabricated.
Claims like these often gain traction because they tap into widespread anxieties about the future—fears of government control, loss of personal freedoms, and rapid scientific change. The WEF, as a high-profile international organisation involved in discussions about global challenges and long-term planning, has become a frequent target of conspiracy theories. Its visibility and influence make it easy for bad actors to misrepresent its initiatives and statements to fit alarming narratives.
However, while it is natural to question such institutions, it is just as important to critically assess the information we encounter—especially when it involves extreme or sensational claims. This is especially relevant as Singapore approaches its General Election, a time when false or misleading information is more likely to circulate. Staying informed, asking critical questions, and relying on credible sources are essential to navigating such moments with clarity.
