The European Union, which has two 1, 500-strong battlegroups ready to deploy within days, has been deaf to appeals for intervention.

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"There should be technology that's pre-existing and ready to deploy at the drop of a hat, " said one former Transocean executive.

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Dr Gruber expects to have a commercial sperm-sorter ready next year, and Arryx has already signed a deal to deploy it with a British dairy.

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