Some 60 years after the Pill was introduced, modern birth control is set to get a much-needed facelift — the development of a revolutionary, no-risk contraceptive method has been announced.

The new approach — developed by the researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA — has been referred to as “genetic contraception. In fact, it could one day become the first of an 'entirely new class of contraceptives', leading researcher Dr Zev Williams hopes” ( ABC News , 19 October 2007). The contraceptive uses RNAi against “a gene that produces a protein called ZP3. The protein, which is part of the coating that surrounds a woman's egg, enables sperm to bind to the outer layer” ( The Daily Telegraph , 20 October 2007).

Unlike the existing birth control drugs, this approach is non-hormonal and does not control the woman's monthly cycle. “Instead it would allow ovulation to occur as normal but would prevent the sperm penetrating the egg...” ( The Independent , 17 October 2007). Another important aspect of this approach is that ZP3 “doesn't occur anywhere else in the body, so the effect is highly targeted” (The Independent, 17 October 2007).

So far, the Williams-led team have tested their method in mice, and the human trials are unlikely to begin sooner than within 10 years. Besides, more work is needed “to find a way of delivering the drug effectively [...]. In humans, it is likely to be given via a skin patch or a vaginal suppository” ( The Times , 17 October 2007).

Although hailed as being safe, “there is no guarantee that side-effects could be avoided completely” ( BBC News , 17 October 2007).