The planet we call home is uniquely positioned to sustain life. Of the 5,000 planets discovered in the universe, Earth is the only one that has the right combination of factors for life to thrive.1 One of the biggest factors is that 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by oceans, and our planet is the perfect distance from the Sun, so they don’t freeze or evaporate.

This water is required for all life on the planet to exist but as humanity’s hubris (and greed) fuel our advancements in science and medicine, we pose an exponential risk to our own survival by polluting Earth’s water.

Have you ever wondered what really happens to the chemicals and other waste we dump down the drains and flush down our toilets? Even the best wastewater treatment plants in the world can’t remove all the chemicals, metabolites, and other human waste we flush down our toilets and drains every single day. The same drugs that work on human bodies also work on fish and wildlife. From vitamins to prescription drugs, our bodies do not absorb 100% of what we ingest. This means we excrete or urinate the rest out, which is then flushed down the toilet.

As science and manufacturing improve our ability to make a pill for every ailment, are we endangering our planet? It is time for humanity to rethink reproductive medicine and consider the long-term effects on the planet as well as our own bodies.