STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Scientific Reports has published a peer-reviewed study by Dr. Stephen Sammut, professor of psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, that demonstrates chemical-induced abortion reversal to be over 80 percent effective.

Entitled, “Progesterone-mediated reversal of mifepristone-induced pregnancy termination in a rat model: an exploratory investigation,” the study establishes the efficacy of progesterone to reverse mifepristone-induced abortions. According to the study, in the abortion-drug only group, abortion took place in 100 percent of the rats. In the group given the abortion drug followed by progesterone, 81 percent of the rats had live fetuses at the end of gestation.

“Our methodology utilized the same drug treatments that would be given to a human,” explained Sammut. “We first administered mifepristone, followed by progesterone. We confirmed the presence or absence of live fetuses at the end of the pregnancy.”

He said, “it is our hope the study instigates extensive additional research, including at the pre-clinical level, into the reversal process in order to inform and ensure the best clinical practices possible, informed by the science, and for the benefit of the patient.”

Sammut has already begun an extended version of this study.

“With this study, we know that abortion can be reversed by the administration of progesterone, and that there are living fetuses at the end of gestation,” he said. “We now need to investigate the behavior of the offspring and the mothers in order to confirm their long-term health.”

Sammut said these findings will better equip the general public to make informed decisions and challenge medical organizations and legislators to consider the scientific evidence.

The value of research on rats includes obtaining results not influenced by human social, political, or religious influences, as well as taking advantage of the extensive similarity in the neurophysiology, physiology, and behavior of rats to that of humans. While there are limitations to extrapolating directly to humans, which are addressed in the study, when used appropriately, the similarities are sufficient to shed significant light into what is potentially going on in humans.

“The most important thing to take from this research is that abortion-pill reversal is not a medical malpractice,” Sammut said. “It is a scientific and medical reality based on simple chemistry and it is available for women who regret taking the abortion pill. Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue Network makes available one such life-saving option, which you can find here.”

Sammut, who has authored and co-authored papers in leading scientific journals and presented his research at many national and international conferences and institutions, received his PhD in neuroscience from the University of Malta. A professor of psychology at Franciscan University, he focuses his research on the neurological, biological, and behavioral consequences of drug-induced abortions in animal models; establishing a pre-clinical model to address abortion-pill-reversal; and the development of an animal model for embryo transfer in ectopic pregnancy. More information about his work can be found here.

Christina Camilleri also assisted with the study and serves as Sammut’s research and teaching assistant at Franciscan University. Camilleri graduated from Franciscan University with a BS in biology in 2017. She is currently assisting in Sammut’s research related to abortion and ectopic pregnancy.

This study was funded by private, restricted donations for Dr. Sammut’s research pertaining to perinatal research.