2006: Future of sex

Can sex have a future? Orwill the next few years see sex relegated to virtual sex-online voyeurism,risqu? MMSs and cloning for procreation instead of the real thing? For onemoment, let's just hope that we rise above the (sexual) confusion of 2005 andwish that 2006 would be a remarkable year for sex.
What are the newways of reaching the old high and what more are researchers workingon?
John Morgenthaler in his book Better Sex Through Chemistry,discusses a new class of pharmaceuticals called "prosexual drugs".What he meansare a new class of aphrodisiacs. Niacin, or vitamin B-3, when taken on an emptystomach causes blood vessels near the skin to dilate for several minutes, whichproduces the well-known "niacin flush." Taking niacin prior to sex may increasetactile sensations, electrifying the sense of touch, and enhancing orgasms.Niacin is a safe vitamin, which is inexpensive and easily available.

Theperfect aphrodisiac?
More recently, researchers haveinvestigated the role of neurotransmitters in sexual behaviour, and as a resultmany new potential drugs. The ideal aphrodisiac would be one which is cheap;easily available; safe; effective for both men and women and can be used overand over again!
Current trends indicate that psychopharmacologicalagents - compounds that stimulate both mind and body - will be useful in thefuture. But who can deny the real power of the one factor that each individualpossesses in abundance and which can be easily turned on and off-the power ofimagination! Even in the future, it can work as the perfect aphrodisiac.

Hymenoplasty:The power of virginity
Looking back at 2005, one would havethought that virginity was just a jaded idea, not just in the West but in Indiaas well. But the new trend in the west which is likely to bet even bigger ishymenoplasty.
Although there are no hard data, the American Societyof Plastic Surgeons says vaginal surgery, including hymenoplasty, is one of theindustry's fastest-growing segments. Not hard to imagine-there are blogs andother online testimonials from women of all ages who pay up to $5,000 toreattach their hymen, wanting to appear a virgin again. Some even do it after a17-year-marriage as a special ���gift��� for the husband, hoping it willperk up the sex life. "It's the ultimate gift for the man who has everything,"says one 40 years old woman, a medical assistant from SanAntonio.

Thepast beckons?
Gynecologists are marketing hymenoplasty inmagazines, local newspapers and online in the US. They report business isbooming. However, in the US restoring lost innocence this way has sparkedcriticism. Religious groups that value abstinence until marriage say hymenrepair is a deception.
Some feminists say hymenoplasty is similar tofemale genital mutilation. In addition, hymen repair, unlike other types ofreconstructive surgery, isn't taught in medical residencies. Some medicalassociations worry that surgeons might be improperly trained.

Theway forward...
If hymen repair is the buzzword in the US, isit likely to catch on in India where virginity and marrying a virgin remainshuge issue? Some of the women who go in for hymen repair in the US are fromimmigrant families where many would disgrace their families if theyweren���t virgins on their wedding night.
An obstetrician andgynecologist in Bayonne, New Jersey performs up to 10 repairs a month, comparedwith only two annually a decade ago. "No one used to talk about it, but that'schanging," Dr. Pelosi says." Really, it's not like a heart transplant - it'slike a very simple procedure." Dr. Pelosi says an increasing number of patientsare trying to "improve their sex lives" by combining hymen repair with anoperation to tighten their vaginas. He says one patient did it to surprise herhusband on a second-honeymoon cruise. Another patient, a 51-year-old Manhattanattorney and mother of three, had him reattach her hymen and tighten her vaginalwalls in "I thought it would add that extra sparkle to our marriage," shesaid.

Onlinevoyeurism?
Condom manufacturer Durex confirmed "virtualsex", either by telephone, SMS messaging or email as a global emerging trend. Inthe US, 54 per cent have engaged in the practice, while 52 per cent in Britainsaid they did. In Asia it was less evident, however, with just six per cent ofVietnam respondents and 19 per cent of Thais saying they tried virtual sex.

Taxfor ethics?
Italy has succeeded in introducing significanttaxation on its massive pornography industry. After several failed attempts, a25 per cent tax has been achieved on hardcore pornography, including films,magazines and sex-shop merchandise. Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti wasresponsible for pushing the tax through parliament.
Tremonti saidthe tax he has brought in is an ���ethical��� tax, in an interview withthe BBC. The 25 per cent tax surpasses the original proposal of 20 per centsuggested in Italy���s 2006 Budget bill. The Italian porn industry isestimated to bring in more than one billion euros a year. While there areeconomic motivations to imposing the tax���Rome needs to boost revenue inorder to meet the budget requirements of the EU���the decision is supportedby arguments for the imposition of a porn tax simply to offset the social costsof the industry. In the US, in October, Kansas State Representative Shari Weberjustified a proposed 10 per cent tax on pornography by pointing to the increasein sex crimes associated with access to pornography.

Rollover 69, enter 77
No doubt most of us are well clued in on the69. It���s time to think more numerics and new positions in the new year.Sex expert Cynthia Gentry, author The Bedside Orgasm Book writes on the 77.���It refers to the way you and your partner's bodies look when they meldtogether in this side entry position," she says. The unique position is meant toreach the G-spot-directly. Need we say more?

WillBollywood sizzle or fizzle?
Hard to predict this one-Bollywoodflicks in 2005 have already boldly brought sex into the open and in middle-classhomes. What remains to be seen is how much more the audience is willing to see.Not all films which explore new fangled ways to sex can be get the box officeexcited. The releases slated for 2006 have fair doses of sizzle lined up.Let���s wait to see whether they scorch or fizzle.
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Legalisedporn, prostitution?
Those in favour of the above would saythat legalizing porn or prostitution would ensure better regulation. Lets facethe fact-the reality is that we cannot wish either of these away but legalizingthem would perhaps ensure better control. India appears to be catching on to theworld���s obsession for all things that are rated X. It is time that welooked at all issues realistically. In the US, the porn is a legalized industryin which hi-tech studios churn out about 11,000 titles annually. The industryhas its own stars such as Jenna Jameson who has been interviewed by practicallyall mainstream news channels and in her autobiography says, "The way I look atit is, this is kind of an art to me...this is my job. It's just like being JuliaRoberts, but just one step further."