Should we encourage teenage boys to undergo irreversible vasectomies at age 18 by offering them brand-new pickup trucks?

That and other questions about population control will be entertained during a free public forum in Billings titled "Land, Food and Population: A Bold Perspective on Complex Issues."

The forum is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Montana State University Billings library.

It is being put on by the Humanists of Billings, a 40-member group that looks to science for answers to the world's problems.

"Essentially, we are people who don't believe in the supernatural," said Bonnie Warne, the group's president. "We believe human beings have to solve human problems."

Overpopulation is one of those problems, and it is closely linked to land use and food resources, Warne said.

High infant and child mortality, starvation and malnutrition, low life expectancies and high crime rates can also be linked to overpopulation, she said.

Members of the humanist group understand that many people disagree with their point of view, but they believe scientific data backs them up. "Look at the facts," said Karen Peterson, chairwoman of the population forum. "If you don't believe in facts, there's nothing we can do."

Speakers at the forum are to include David Leuthold, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Missouri; Lisa Kemmerer, assistant professor of philosophy at MSUB; and Ralph Scott, a biologist and scientific illustrator.

"Our three speakers will not agree with each other," Peterson said.

A discussion will follow presentations by each speaker.

Contact Diane Cochran at dcochran@billingsgazette.com or 657-1287.