Pill of the (distant) Future

Scottish researchers are developing a new-and-improved birth control pill. It sounds positively dreamy: Non-hormonal! Prevents cancer! No PMS! Lower risk of blood clots!

While the Pill is the most effective form of contraception, many are put off by side-effects from the female hormones on which it is based… The new Pill works on a completely different principle, using a chemical called mifepristone to block the action of progesterone, which the body needs to ovulate and support a pregnancy.

But wait! Before you get too excited, note that the new Pill is an extremely low dose of mifepristone, which is the main drug used in medication abortion. So scientists are expecting anti-choice opposition to the pill’s approval.

“If it was decided just on scientific grounds, and the pharmaceutical industry did not respond to all sorts of irrational factors, it could be developed within five years,” he said. “As it is, I would expect it to be within five to ten years.”

In other words, don’t hold your breath. If everything were decided on scientific grounds, we’d have Plan B over-the-counter and a male birth control pill by now.