Saying Goodbye to the Man Behind the Abortion Pill: Étienne-Émile Baulieu Passes Away
Discovered: Death of Abortion Pill Advocate - Death of the Inventor of Abortion Pill (RU 486)
French medical pioneer, Étienne-Émile Baulieu, known for his groundbreaking creation of the abortion pill, passed away on Friday at his Paris residence at the age of 98. His wife Simone Harari Baulieu confirmed the news to AFP.
Baulieu, with his tireless curiosity and dedication to scientific advancements, made waves in the world with his work on steroid hormones and the invention of RU 486, also known as the abortion pill. Elise Lucet, a journalist and close friend, once described him as "a doctor who does science."
In an emotional tribute, Aurore Bergé, France's Equality Minister, wrote on the online service X, "Étienne-Émile Baulieu dedicated his life to progress made possible by science, women's freedom, and human dignity."
A Life Marked by Resilience, Courage, and Progress
Born Étienne Blum to Jewish parents in Strasbourg, France, in 1926, young Étienne joined the resistance movement against the Nazis at the age of 15, adopting the name Émile Baulieu. He later became a doctor of medicine, doctor of science, and prominent endocrinologist, founding Research Unit 33 at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in 1963.
His research paved the way for the invention of the abortion pill RU 486 in 1982. This safe and affordable solution for voluntary medical abortion transformed the lives of millions of women worldwide. Despite facing constant criticism and threats from anti-abortion groups, Baulieu remained resolute in his commitment to scientific progress and human dignity.
Throughout his career, Baulieu researched the effects of steroid hormones on human reproduction and the aging process. His work led to significant discoveries, including the development of a treatment for depression, which is being clinically tested in several university hospitals, and the establishment of the Baulieu Institute, dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Baulieu's accomplishments did not go unnoticed, with the prestigious Lasker Prize being bestowed upon him, the highest scientific award in the United States. He leaves behind his wife Simone Harari, three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
- Abortion Pill
- Women
- Paris
- The invention of the abortion pill, RU 486, by Étienne-Émile Baulieu in Paris, revolutionized the lives of millions of women worldwide.
- Baulieu, a doctor of science, researched the effects of steroid hormones on human reproduction and aging, leading to the creation of the abortion pill and a treatment for depression, both essential advancements in women's health and mental health.
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