Article: Birth Control Pill's Golden Anniversary Marked on October 15.

1951 Synthesis of Key Substance from Wild Mexican Yams

Led to World's First Effective Oral Contraceptive

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ --

Fifty years ago on October 15th, scientists in Mexico City synthesized norethindrone, the orally effective synthetic steroid that led to the creation of the birth control pill. Since its introduction, the Pill has been used by more than 300 million women worldwide and is the contraceptive of choice of more than 20 million American women.

"The Pill was not the result of serendipity (but) of a long chain of events with many individuals and team players involved," said Dr. George Rosenkranz, 85, who ...

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