Etienne-Emile Baulieu, a pioneering French biochemist who died at 98, is renowned for developing RU486 (mifepristone), the abortion pill that facilitates medical abortions. His journey began in the early 1970s, inspired by a poignant encounter with a woman in poverty. This influenced his conviction to support women's autonomy over their bodies. By 1980, Baulieu had successfully synthesized RU486, marking a significant advance in reproductive medicine, which later became widely used in the UK. The drug's introduction, although faced with challenges, significantly changed access to safe abortions, making them faster and more convenient than surgical options.
Creating a pill to stop pregnancy had been on his mind for a long time. Baulieu identified his antiprogesterone chemical, which the company called RU486 in 1980.
The moment was pivotal: I decided to stand up for women to ensure they could make their own decisions about their bodies. It gave meaning to my life.
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