"Death of the Inventor of the Abortion Pill (RU 486)" or "Abortion Pill Inventor (RU 486) Passes Away"

French Pioneer of Abortion Pill, Étienne-Émile Baulieu, Passes Away

Pill inventor responsible for medical abortion passes away - "Death of the Inventor of the Abortion Pill (RU 486)" or "Abortion Pill Inventor (RU 486) Passes Away"

Wrap your heads around this — the trailblazing figure behind the abortion pill, Émile Baulieu, kicked the bucket last Friday at the ripe age of 98, residing in his Parisian abode as per his missus, Simone Harari Baulieu, to AFP news agency. Known for his groundbreaking work on steroid hormones and the invention of the abortion pill RU 486, Baulieu's death has sent shockwaves across the scientific community.

"His life's journey was guided by a fervor for progress driven by science, an unwavering dedication to women's autonomy, and a profound desire to extend and elevate the human experience,"explained Simone Harari Baulieu. "Émile Baulieu, a man who stood firm on the principle of human dignity, left an indelible impact on society, always aiming to change it for the better," penned Aurore Bergé, France's Equality Minister, on popular online forum X.

The Controversial Abortion Pill RU 486

Born to Jewish parents on December 12, 1926, in Strasbourg, France, young Émile Blum adopted the moniker Émile Baulieu when he joined the French Resistance against the Nazis during World War II at the tender age of 15. A distinguished doctor of medicine, doctor of sciences, and an endocrinologist, Baulieu *cough* paid his dues, founding Research Unit 33 at the prestigious Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) in 1963. This unit was devoted to the study of hormones and served as Baulieu's battleground until 1997.

In 1982, Baulieu changed the game with his invention of the abortion pill, RU 486. The introduction of this game-changer revolutionized the lives of countless women across the globe by providing them with the option of voluntary medical abortion. This watershed contribution earned Baulieu a slew of detractors and threats from anti-abortion groups throughout his life.

However, his research didn't stop there. Baulieu focused on the steroid hormone DHEA, discovering its anti-aging effects. Being a curious cat, Baulieu delved into the realm of neurosteroids — steroids of the nervous system. The tenacious scientist also worked on an innovative treatment for depression, currently undergoing clinical trials in several university hospitals. Baulieu, with a penchant for longevity, established the Baulieu Institute in 2008, dedicated to treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Baulieu received the Lasker Prize, the United States' highest scientific award. Married twice, Baulieu was widowed by Yolande Compagnon and leaves behind three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

• Abortion Pill
• Anti-Aging
• Paris

Enrichment Data:

Baulieu, a revered French biochemist and endocrinologist, made significant strides in the realm of medicine, garnering particular fame for his research on steroid hormones[1]. Born as Émile Blum, he switched things up by adopting Baulieu during World War II while joining the French Resistance[1]. Baulieu's unwavering dedication to scientific advancements and women's rights shaped his worldview[1].

Baulieu's crowning achievement was the invention of the abortion pill, RU-486 (mifepristone), which provided millions of women global access to a safe, cost-effective alternative to surgical abortions[2]. His work, however, did not go unchallenged, with criticism and opposition following closely behind[1].

Throughout his career, Baulieu held various positions, including roles at INSERM and professor of biochemistry. He also partnered with the "French Ethical Advisory Committee" and the "Institute of Longevity and Aging." Baulieu, a remarkable figure in the scientific world, passed away on May 30, 2025, leaving behind an indelible legacy[1][3].

1. The trailblazing figure behind the abortion pill, RU 486, Émile Baulieu, a French biochemist and endocrinologist, passed away in Paris last Friday at the age of 98.
2. Known for his invention of the abortion pill, Baulieu's work was guided by a fervor for progress driven by science and an unwavering dedication to women's autonomy.
3. Baulieu's crowning achievement, RU-486, provided millions of women worldwide with a safe, cost-effective alternative to surgical abortions.
4. Throughout his career, Baulieu also focused on the steroid hormone DHEA, discovering its anti-aging effects.
5. Despite facing criticism and opposition from anti-abortion groups, Baulieu's dedication to neurosteroids and an innovative treatment for depression led him to work on therapies and treatments for mental health, neurological disorders, and menopause.
6. In his later years, Baulieu established the Baulieu Institute in Paris, dedicated to treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, as part of his broader research on health and wellness.

Read also: