We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
Yeesh what an overwritten article.  I plowed through it because this is relevant to my interests but man this could've been 3 paragraphs.  I'll try and sum it up:<p>-People don't use condoms mostly because they are uncomfortable<p>-Current condoms are highly suboptimal for anal sex in particular<p>-Materials other than latex are generally difficult to get to pass FDA tests, and it looks like there is some disagreeing science about why.  All condoms seem to be good at blocking pregnancy, some, like polyurethane and lambskin condoms, have disagreeing science about how well they stop the transmission of STDs (including HIV).<p>-New condoms sometimes get blocked because of somewhat antiquated tests (specifically sizing tests)<p>Overall there was not a lot of information here.  It follows someone named Resnic, loosely, who claims to be making a new revolutionary condom, but who ultimately decides to change his condom back to latex because it's so much easier to manufacture in the US.  It's not clear what his key innovations are that will make his condom more useful/comfortable to more people.<p>Overall the point that a better condom would get more people to use it makes sense, but the article doesn't make the case that one is on the way, or explain what one even would be.  Yes, a better material might transmit heat better, but there are obvious downsides, especially with regards to Africa, where STD transmission is the primary concern, not pregnancy.<p>If there is one conclusion I take from this article it's that if you are in a committed relationship where you are not worried about STD transmission and are primarily concerned about pregnancy prevention, and do not like latex condoms, give lamb skin or polyurethane condoms a shot.  Otherwise you're probably best sticking to latex.