"Birth control is an essential need for many women, whether for family planning or treatment of conditions such as endometriosis. Despite this, the cost, availability, social stigma and cultural beliefs associated with birth control pose barriers that are difficult to overcome. The PoPPy project was formed to create a safe method of contraception that uses progesterone to suppress ovulation. Progesterone, unlike its synthetic analogs, can be produced in bread yeast if the genetic pathway is completed in those cells. Laura Valine is on a team of researchers that have engineered the genetic pathway into another food-safe yeast that can be grown on milks or plant oils. With PoPPy, they hope to provide a safe, sustainable, locally produced, and discreet product that women can consider for managing their future."
