Etienne-Emile Baulieu, Pioneer of the Abortion Pill, Dies at 98
Etienne-Emile Baulieu, the French scientist renowned for his groundbreaking work on the abortion pill RU-486 (mifepristone), has died at the age of 98.His invention revolutionized women’s reproductive health, offering a safe and non-invasive option to surgical abortion. Baulieu’s life was marked by scientific innovation,unwavering dedication to women’s freedom,and a surprising connection to the art world.
Baulieu’s impact extended far beyond the laboratory. He tirelessly advocated for the authorization of mifepristone,facing intense opposition and even threats from anti-abortion groups. Despite the challenges,he remained steadfast in his belief that women deserved access to safe and affordable reproductive options.
Tributes Pour In
French President Emmanuel Macron lauded Baulieu as a beacon of courage
and a progressive mind who enabled women to win their freedom.
Macron further stated on X, Few French people have changed the world to such an extent.
French Equality Minister Aurore Berge echoed this sentiment,stating on X that Baulieu was guided throughout his life by one requirement: human dignity.
His wife, Simone Harari Baulieu, emphasized his commitment, saying, His research was guided by his commitment to the progress made possible by science, his dedication to women’s freedom, and his desire to enable everyone to live better, longer lives.
From Resistance Fighter to Scientific innovator
Born Etienne Blum in Strasbourg on Dec. 12, 1926, to Jewish parents, he was raised by his feminist mother after his father’s death. at 15, he joined the French Resistance against Nazi occupation, changing his name to Emile Baulieu, later adding Etienne.
After the war, Baulieu became a “doctor who does science,” specializing in steroid hormones. In 1961, Gregory Pincus, the “father of the contraceptive pill,” recruited him to focus on sex hormones.
Back in France, Baulieu devised a method to block progesterone, crucial for egg implantation, leading to mifepristone’s development in 1982.
Battling Adversity
Baulieu faced significant backlash for his work on mifepristone. He was dragged before the courts and demonized by anti-abortion groups, who labeled it a “death pill.” Despite the pressure, he refused to yield.
Simone Harari Baulieu noted, Adversity slides off him like water off a duck’s back.
You, a Jew and a resistance fighter, you were overwhelmed with the most atrocious insults and even compared to nazi scientists. But you held on, for the love of freedom and science.
Emmanuel Macron, speaking at an award ceremony in 2023
When Wyoming outlawed the abortion pill in 2023, Baulieu, than 96, called it scandalous,
reaffirming his dedication to increasing the freedom of women.
A Captivation with Art
In the 1960s, baulieu, a literature enthusiast, cultivated friendships with artists like Andy Warhol. He explained his interest, stating he was fascinated by artists who claim to have access to the human soul, something that will forever remain beyond the reach of scientists.
continued Research and Legacy
Even into his mid-90s, Baulieu remained active in his Parisian office. I would be bored if I did not work anymore,
he said in 2023.
His later research focused on preventing Alzheimer’s disease and treating severe depression, with clinical trials underway globally. There is no reason we cannot find treatments
for both illnesses, he asserted.
Baulieu also described the hormone DHEA in 1963,believing in its anti-aging properties,though its effects were limited. He received the Lasker prize in the United States in 1989.
After his frist wife, Yolande Compagnon, died, Baulieu married Simone Harari in 2016. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
