Through fame and fortune, the Pill has brought Dr Djerassi a large and varied list of acquaintances.

ECONOMIST: LAST WORD: Godfather of the Pill | The

Dr Djerassi is all for reproductive technology which enhances personal choice, and ensures that children are genuinely wanted.

ECONOMIST: LAST WORD: Godfather of the Pill | The

Simon Mawer, a biology teacher turned novelist, and Carl Djerassi, a playwright and novelist who was once a chemistry professor.

ECONOMIST: Science in fiction is not science fiction