Celso-Ramon Garcia, 82; Researcher Helped Develop the Pill

Celso-Ramon Garcia, 82, a University of Pennsylvania researcher whose work contributed to the development of the birth control pill, died Feb. 1 in Boston of cardiovascular disease.

In the 1950s, Garcia led an early clinical trial in Puerto Rico, testing and refining an oral contraceptive for women that had been developed by Gregory G. Pincus and John Rock and others. Garcia’s work paved the way for production of “the pill,” which blocks the release of a hormone that stimulates eggs during ovulation. Approved in the U.S. in 1960, the contraceptive pill in use today remains much the same, although dosages have been reduced.

Born in New York City, Garcia earned his undergraduate degree from Queens College and medical degree from Downstate Medical Center of the State University of New York.

Garcia served in the Army Medical Corps shortly after World War II, and after completing residencies, he began teaching and conducting reproductive research in 1953.