SummaryControl of human fertility has been practised throughout history and in every known culture. This paper takes a critical look at current practice, techniques and philosophy of fertility control within a broad sociohistorical context.The two main aspects are discussed. The first is the political and moral question of who controls fertility on behalf of whom: where is ownership of technical resources vested and whose interests determine how they are used? Before the rise of scientific medicine, fertility control was widely practised within the lay female community with such methods as vaginal contraception, induced abortion and infanticide. Today most methods of limiting or promoting fertility are controlled by the medical profession. The benefits and hazards of these contrasting situations are discussed.