Pioneer behind the abortion pill has passed away.
Renowned French Scientist Émile Baulieu, Known for Developing Abortion Pill, Passes Away at 98
Paris, France - French physician and researcher Émile Baulieu, best known for his groundbreaking invention of the abortion pill RU 486, has passed away at the age of 98 in his Paris residence. His wife, Simone Harari Baulieu, made the announcement.
Born Étienne Blum on December 12, 1926, in Strasbourg, France, to Jewish parents, Baulieu adopted the name Émile Baulieu at the age of 15 when he joined the French Resistance. A medical doctor, doctor of science, and endocrinologist, Baulieu headed Research Unit 33 at the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) from 1963 until 1997.
In 1982, Baulieu developed RU 486 (mifepristone), a drug that revolutionized women's lives worldwide by providing them with the option of a safe, non-surgical medical abortion. His commitment to women's freedom and scientific progress marked his research.
Baulieu's work was not limited to reproductive rights. His research on the steroid hormone DHEA led him to study neurosteroids, essential in understanding the interplay between hormones and brain function.
Alongside his work in reproductive healthcare, Baulieu developed a treatment for combating depression, currently being clinically tested in several university hospitals. His passion for neurodegenerative diseases led him to found the Baulieu Institute in 2008, dedicated to treating conditions such as Alzheimer's.
Baulieu was a recipient of the Lasker Prize, the highest scientific award in the United States. Besides his scientific achievements, he forged friendships with artists Andy Warhol and Niki de Saint Phalle, reflecting his broader cultural influence beyond the lab.
Baulieu is survived by his wife Simone Harari Baulieu, three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Baulieu as a "beacon of courage" and a key figure in empowering women to take control of their bodies.
Sources: ntv.de, jpe/AFP
The community mourns the loss of Émile Baulieu, a pioneer in science and health-and-wellness, who passed away at 98. His employment policy at Research Unit 33, INSERM, made significant strides in therapy-and-treatments, including the development of RU 486, a groundbreaking abortion pill. Beyond reproductive health, Baulieu's studies on neurosteroids contributed significantly to mental-health, particularly in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
