Massachusetts Citizens for Life Board Member and Director of APRScience.org, Paul DeBeasi, recently represented the organization as a speaker at the Heartbeat International (HBI) Annual Conference—one of the largest pro-life gatherings in the world.
Held on May 2, 2025, the event brought together 2,100 attendees, including 1,600 in person and 500 virtually, from 20 countries. Hosted by HBI, which oversees a network of 2,600 Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) in 102 nations, the conference also featured 98 exhibitors highlighting tools and services that support women and unborn children.
DeBeasi led a workshop titled “Debunking APR Myths Using APRScience,” drawing an audience composed primarily of PRC nurses, nurse managers, executive directors, and a few physicians. His session addressed persistent misconceptions about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR)—claims that continue to circulate despite growing clinical evidence. Among the falsehoods he tackled were that APR is not possible once a chemical abortion has begun, that embryo survival rates are no different than with a placebo, that APR relies on junk science, that it is unsafe, and that it may increase the risk of birth defects.
Drawing on peer-reviewed research and data from APRScience.org, DeBeasi systematically countered each of these claims with clarity and scientific rigor. His presentation equipped attendees with evidence-based knowledge to help them more effectively support women seeking to reverse chemical abortions.
In addition to his role at MCFL, DeBeasi is a respected bioethics author and speaker. He earned his master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Mary and holds engineering degrees from Cornell University and Boston University. Before turning his focus to bioethics, he served as Chief of Research at Gartner and held senior product management roles in the technology sector. He began his career as a systems engineer at Bell Laboratories.
The 2026 Heartbeat International Conference is scheduled for March 25–27 in Cincinnati, Ohio. MCFL is proud to support leaders like Paul DeBeasi, whose expertise and passion for truth are helping shape the future of life-affirming care.