Etienne-Emile Baulieu, the French inventor of the abortion pill known as RU-486, passed away on May 30, 2025, at the age of 98. His work on reproductive health and aging has garnered him global recognition and respect within the scientific community.

Baulieu, who referred to himself as a "free researcher," dedicated his life to combining scientific advancement with societal progress.

He remained active in his role at Inserm, the French research institute, up to his death, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to research and mentoring.

Born on December 12, 1926, in Strasbourg, Baulieu experienced the early loss of his father, a nephrologist, at the age of three.

Raised in a family committed to advocacy, his mother was a former lawyer and a staunch feminist.

During World War II, he took refuge in Grenoble and joined the French Resistance at the tender age of 15.

After the war, Baulieu pursued dual degrees in science and medicine, specializing in steroid hormones.

His career took a significant turn when he was invited to the United States, where he was mentored by Gregory Pincus, one of the pioneers of the contraceptive pill.

Under Pincus's guidance, Baulieu honed his understanding of sex hormones and the essential role of networking in advancing scientific research.

Upon returning to France, Baulieu focused on discovering an "anti-hormone" countering the effects of progesterone, crucial for embryo implantation.

This led to the development of RU-486, a medication that serves as a safe and cost-effective alternative to surgical abortion.

However, the journey to commercialize RU-486 was fraught with challenges, facing legal battles and harsh criticism from anti-abortion groups in the United States.

Despite the backlash, including being labeled as the inventor of a "death pill," Baulieu remained steadfast in advocating for RU-486.

In 1988, French Minister of Health Claude Evin mandated its commercialization, stating it was a "moral property of women."

In recognition of his contributions, Baulieu received the Lasker Award in 1989, often regarded as a precursor to the Nobel Prize.

Throughout the following years, he continued to campaign for broader access to RU-486 in different countries.

In addition to his work on the abortion pill, Baulieu engaged in research on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a natural hormone he believed could delay aging.

He identified DHEA secretion by the adrenal glands in 1963, and his subsequent studies reported limited benefits, such as skin firming and improvements in mood and libido.

Nonetheless, Baulieu remained optimistic about aging and actively sought solutions for prolonging health as one ages.

He established the Baulieu Institute in 2008 to fund research aimed at delaying dependence in older adults.

Even in his later years, he published research in 2010 at the age of 83, focusing on a protein that could play a role in combating Alzheimer’s disease.

Baulieu expressed that he was confident in finding effective treatments for the condition.

Baulieu's contributions to science and society, particularly in reproductive health and the biological aspects of aging, have left an impactful legacy, influencing both scientific inquiry and public discourse.