What were the birth defects caused by the drug Thalidomide?
In the early 1960s, Thalidomide was marketed as a sedative (relaxant) and antinausea drug. It was found to cause birth defects in babies whose mothers had taken the drug for morning sickness. Some of those babies were born blind, deaf, or without arms or legs. Others were born with heart defects or intestinal abnormalities. Although some were mentally retarded, most were of normal intelligence. This tragedy led to much stricter laws regulating the testing and sale of new drugs. Source: Schlager, Neil, ed. When Technology Fails, pp. 468-74.
