French scientist behind abortion pill dies aged 982 days ago Share Save Rorey Bosotti BBC News Share SaveGetty Images Dr Etienne-Emile Baulieu helped 'enable women's freedom', said France's presidentThe French scientist who created the abortion pill has died at the age of 98. Dr Baulieu died at his home in Paris on Friday, his widow confirmed in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron called Dr Baulieu "a beacon of courage" and "a progressive mind who enabled women to win their freedom". Following his graduation, he travelled to the United States where he worked with the man known as the father of the contraceptive pill, Dr Gregory Pincus. Back in France, Dr Baulieu designed a method to block the effect of the hormone progesterone – which is essential for the egg to implant in the uterus following fertilisation.