Where did RU-486 come from?
In April, 1982, after almost twenty years of research, French scientist Dr. Etienne-Emile Baulieu announced that testing in research centers had been completed in which RU-486 was successfully used to abort the babies of four women within the first four weeks of pregnancy. Clinical testing continued, and in January, 1988, the French Health Ministry deferred approval of RU-486 when used alone for abortion. The pharmaceutical company, Roussel Uclaf, applied again, this time recommending the use of RU-486 plus a prostaglandin. According to Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 3 a prostaglandin is a fatty acid derivative present in many tissues and menstrual fluid. A prostaglandin is synthesized in the body from unsaturated fatty acids. Certain prostaglandins have been used as early-abortion chemicals because they act to stimulate uterine contractions and accelerate the abortion process. Their general use for these purposes is limited by a great number of undesired side effects. However,
