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

Though hailed by many as a scientific breakthrough, Baulieu’s work with mifepristone was not without opposition. Anti-abortion activists fiercely criticized the drug, and Baulieu himself often found himself at the center of public controversy. He faced significant political and religious pushback, especially in the United States and parts of Europe, where debates around abortion remain deeply polarizing. Still, Baulieu remained steadfast in his belief that his work was about providing women with a safe, private, and dignified choice—one that respected their bodily autonomy and reduced the risks associated with surgery.