What Is the Reproductive Health Technologies Project?

The Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP) works to advance the ability of every woman to achieve full reproductive freedom with access to the safest, most effective, and preferred methods for controlling her fertility and protecting her health. RHTP views technology not as an end in itself, but as a key component in expanding women’s reproductive options. Founded on the belief that politics — more than science or economics — prevents new and improved products from entering the market as well as limits women’s knowledge of and access to technologies, RHTP works to ensure that new technologies are developed and introduced with appropriate safeguards, a well-informed consumer constituency, and broad-based public and policy support.

RHTP was founded in 1988 as a working group to provide public education and build public understanding about the French "abortion pill" RU 486 and other antiprogestins. In 1992 became an independent 501(c)3 organization. Taking on issues where science, politics, and industry converge — and often clash — RHTP has established itself as a powerful vehicle for public education, advocacy, and policy development around existing and emerging reproductive health technologies. Across all program areas, RHTP applies its winning approach to advocacy and consensus-building: bringing together experts from a variety of fields and disciplines to learn from and influence one another, using solid science and clinical data to arm advocates and policy makers to influence political outcomes, and developing strategies on cutting edge issues that can be carried out by the broadest possible range of organizations and constituencies.

RHTP's Current Technology Priorities:

• Expanding access to over-the-counter emergency contraception
• Restoring scientific integrity to the federal policy making process
• Initiating dialogue with members of the reproductive health and rights community on the use and regulation of emerging reproductive genetic technologies
• Fostering communication and collaboration among advocates and pharmaceutical and medical device industry representatives in an effort to increase the availability of safe and effective methods for fertility regulation and reproductive health
• Build consensus on the use of misprostol for reproductive health indications