Newsletter

LV: Puerto Rico Pill Trials

By Duru Tas

October 12, 2026

On Thursday, September 24 from 6:30-7:30, LV and CIF collaborated to host a discussion on the Puerto Rico Pill Trials at the DMC, bringing students together for a discussion on reproductive health, medical ethics, and the history of contraceptives.

The presentation covered the history of contraception methods from ancient Egyptian times to the development of modern contraceptives; including condoms, IUDs, and the birth control pill. Rather than focusing solely on these medical developments, the presenters examined the question of reproductive autonomy and women’s ability to make decisions about their own bodies and future. A central part of the presentation, as par with the event’s theme, was contraceptive testing in Puerto Rico, which was the first mass scale human trial for the modern birth control pills. Despite being developed in the mainland US, the testings were done in Puerto Rico for a variety of reasons, including the stigma around birth control in the States, legal loopholes, and most importantly, medical colonization. Students discussed the power dynamics surrounding medical research, informed consent, and the ethical questions raised when research is conducted within marginalized communities. The presentation also introduced the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without her consent and later became widely used in scientific research. 

Ultimately, the Puerto Rico Pill Trials discussion encouraged students to look beyond the familiar history of medical breakthroughs and consider the ethical questions and power dynamics that often remain untalked about.