Étienne-Émile Beaulieu, the French scientist who created the abortion pill, has died at the age of 98. Additionally, he died at his home in Paris on Friday, his widow confirmed in a statement.
However, he helped develop the oral drug RU-486, also known as mifepristone, which has provided millions of women across the world with a safe and inexpensive alternative to a surgical abortion.
Dr. Baulieu was born Étienne Blum on 12 December 1926 in Strasbourg. He changed his name to join the French resistance against the Nazi occupation when he was 15.
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Simone Harari Baulieu said, “His research was guided by his commitment to progress through science, his dedication to women’s freedom, and his desire to enable everyone to live better and longer lives.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called Dr. Baulieu “a beacon of courage” and “a progressive mind who enabled women to win their freedom.”
“Few French people have changed the world to such an extent,” he added in a post on X.
Aurore Bergé, France’s gender equality minister, said Dr. Baulieu “was guided throughout his life by one requirement: that of human dignity” in a post on X.
Following his graduation, he traveled to the United States, where he worked with the man known as the father of the contraceptive pill, Dr. Gregory Pincus. Dr. Pincus advised him on focusing on sex hormones.
Back in France, Dr. Baulieu designed a method to block the effect of the hormone progesterone, which is essential for the egg to implant in the uterus following fertilization.
In conclusion, Dr. Baulieu spent decades pushing international governments to authorize the drug despite facing fierce criticism and sometimes threats from opponents of abortion.
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