Étienne-Émile Baulieu, French Pioneer Behind the Abortion Pill Mifepristone, Dies at 98

The introduction of mifepristone in 1982 marked a pivotal moment in women’s healthcare. Unlike surgical abortion, which requires clinical intervention and carries physical and emotional challenges, mifepristone offered a less invasive alternative. The pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is essential to sustaining a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, effectively terminating the pregnancy in a controlled and medically supervised manner. This scientific innovation offered a new path for reproductive choice and autonomy, particularly in areas where access to surgical procedures is limited.