Thalidomide

1786 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: History

# Since the mid to late 1950’s, Thalidomide has been a controversial drug. Since its introduction it has seen its highs and its lows. From devastating birth defects, to a treatment for some life threatening cancers, Thalidomide could be considered the Jeckel and Hyde of the pharmaceutical world. The question that the pharmaceutical world is asking itself now is weather the risk of the possible devastating birth defects that can happen is worth the possible life saving benefits that could be gained. Thalidomide has been the topic of debate since its uses as a treatment of certain cancers has been discovered.
# The drug was first introduced in the Europe. Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women to try and combat morning sickness. Thalidomide was also used as a sleep enhancer in other patients. It was not until 1961 that the drug was linked to the horrific malformations such as babies being born with flipper like limbs. It was also blamed for other birth defects effecting the eyes, ears, heart, genitals, kidneys, nervous system and digestive tract. The possibilities of subjecting more babies and their families to the effects of Thalidomide has many people upset about the idea that it may be coming back on the market. Just one dose of the drug to an unborn baby can cause dire effects. It takes a very small amount to cause any one of the serious problems listed above.
# Thalidomide was never produced or distributed in the United States, but a handful of “Thalidomide babies” were born to American families. Seven thousand to twelve thousand babies were born with defects due to Thalidomide in other parts of the world, including Europe and Canada. (Snider, 1995) As a result of the numerous problems with the drug, the FDA has created new guidelines for preclinical animal test to learn if a new compound causes birth defects before it ever enters humans. (Brown, 1997) Teratogenic, or birth defect causing, drugs are normally yanked off the market way before studies have been done to see if they have any other applications. The views of the pharmaceutical world are that nothing can be gained from a drug that causes life altering birth defects.
# Now, years later, Thalidomide has been given a chance to redeem itself. Early research has shown that the drug has been effective in treating a variety of ailments such as leprosy, tuberculoses, HIV, arthritis, and even can...

... middle of paper ...

...me it horrific past and be made available for the possible good it may perform? Can the world accept the fact that people may have no other options to continue living than to take a drug that caused so much suffering in the past? Many people’s lives, and quality of life, may depend on these questions. The key to the distribution of Thalidomide is control. If the FDA can monitor and regulate the drug, ensuring no more babies will be born suffering the defects caused by the drug Thalidomide, hundreds of thousands of people many are able to live longer, healthier lives.

Source Listing

USA Today
Aug 23, 1999, n.p.
Thalidomide Fighting Some of the Deadliest Cancers Known
By Kathleen Fackelmann

Frederick News-Post
(Frederick, MD)
July 16, 1998
FDA Approves Return of Thalidomide
By Lauran Neergaard

The Scientist
Feb 3, 1997, pp. 1+
New Uses for Thalidomide Yielding Valuable Lessons
By Kathryn S. Brown

In These Times
Nov 13, 1995, pp. 7-8
The Thalidomide Revival
By Anna Snider

www.aegis.com
Simple Facts Sheet: thalidomide
Copyright 2000
Last Updated 4/16/2002

www.fda.gov
Thalidomide: Important Patient Information
September 11, 1997

Show More
Related

  • Zoloft

    522 Words  | 2 Pages

    Zoloft was first introduced to the United States in 1980’s. Another name for Zoloft is sertraline and is in a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. At first Zoloft was made to treat major depressive disorder, but as the drug progressed over time it can now treat panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft is the most commonly used antidepressant because it works extremely well, it is safe, and its side effects are not as serious as other antidepressants.

    Read More

  • The Women's Health Movement By Mary K. Zimmerman

    740 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary Zimmerman framed that women have not had ultimate control over their own bodies and health as a fundamental assumption underlying women’s health movement. Men control and dominate a huge portion of the of decision making roles in the healthcare field, such as health related research, health policy etc. Whereas women are more seen in social positions. According to the article “The Women’s Health Movement” by Mary K. Zimmerman, the concept of medicalization is the “increasing tendency to apply medical definitions and control to phenomena not previously thought of as medical problems (Zola, 1972; Conrad and Schneider, 1980). In the 1950’s a drug called Thalidomide was created by a German company, claiming that it was safe for pregnant women. Although many women were still using this drug during this time, in 1961, reports began to surface that this drug was causing several birth defects and other health problems. The author presented the Thalidomide case as an example of medicalization by showing us the potential consequences of a style medical

    Read More

  • Risperdal

    1552 Words  | 4 Pages

    Risperdal Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used to alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is defined by its effects in altering perception, thoughts, or consciousness called hallucinations or delusions. It affects about 1% of the population, with about 2 million people affected in the United States. About 50% of those affected become severely and permanently disabled and dependent upon public assistance. Schizophrenics make up about 10% of the totally disabled population and as much as 14% of the homeless.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies: Disease Free or New Child

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the discovery of genetically altering an embryo before implantation, “designer babies” was coined to describe a child genetically altered “to ensure specific intellectual and cosmetic characteristics.” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). This procedure combines genetic engineering and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to make sure certain characteristics are absent or present in an embryo (Thadani n.p.). The procedure also includes taking an embryo to be pre-implementation genetically diagnosed (PGD), another procedure that doctors use to screen the embryos (Stock n.p.). An embryo’s DNA goes through multiple tests to obtain an analysis of the embryo, which will list all the components of the embryo including genetic disorders and physical traits such as Down syndrome, blue eyes, and brown hair, for instance (Smith 7). Although the use of PGD is widely accepted by the “reproductive medical community” and the modifying of disorders or diseases is to a degree, once the characteristics are no longer health related “72% disapprove of the procedure” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). At this point the parents make decisions that would alter their child’s life forever and this decision is rather controversial in the U...

    Read More

  • Annotated Bibliography Of The Pill

    1605 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ion. After 40 years since FDA approval, the Pill has been modified with a smaller dosage of hormones, which addressed the risks previously associated. The risks associated with the Pill have decreased. With the help of safety profiles, women are now screened for risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Pill has since evolved into a safer oral contraceptive causing the focus from supposed health risks to real health benefits such as, protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers.

    Read More

  • FDA: A Necessary Evil

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    FDA, so many people were harmed. Even other countries versions of the FDA approved it which

    Read More

  • The Effects of Teratogens on an Unborn Embryo

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ve physical deformities, decreased birth weight and respiratory difficulties. The drugs can also carry adverse behavioral effects, including high pitched crying, abnormal sleep patterns and decreased attention. Studies have determined that some infants can rectify these behavioral inconsistencies, but that the change is dependent upon a responsive caregiver in a nurturing environment.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Uterus Transplants

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    That’s not the only rebuttal to that argument. A journal says “while children exposed to immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy are more likely to have premature birth and low birth weight, they do not appear to be elevated risk for physical malformation or the serious side effects” (Orentlicher). Cleary, there has been research done on the risks not only these drugs can have, but other possible risks related to uterus

    Read More

  • The RU-486 Pill

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Russell-Uflad Company developed the RU-486 pill in France in 1980. The women of France greatly hailed the development of this pill. It was said to be safer, easier, and more private since the pill can be taken at home, or in a doctor's office instead of a hospital. The pill has proven to be very effective and has found its way to the United States, but is only tentatively approved. Why should it not be approved if it could be an easier, more private way to have an abortion? Over half a million women in France have used the RU-486 pill and there have been very few cases reported with serious side effects. (Banwell 82) The side effects have only occurred in 4 percent of the women who have already used the pill. The side effects have been so minor that most of the women did not need medical attention.

    Read More

  • Essay On Diethylstilbestrol

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    Imagine being in a family that is expecting their first child. Articles in the newspaper are showing how the chances of miscarriages are increasing. As soon as anxiety starts to take over, a flip of a page in the newspaper changes everything. An article about a new drug called Diethylstilbestrol seems to be on the next page. Diethylstilbestrol, also known as DES, is a medicine that helps prevent women from having pregnancy complications including miscarriages. “This is amazing!” one may say, but do they really know the consequences of taking this new medication? Diethylstilbestrol was a huge turning point for most pregnant women in the early twentieth century; however, it had many underlying negative consequences that would later affect the mother and child with the word no one ever wants to hear; cancer.

    Read More

  • animal experimentation: pros and cons

    1548 Words  | 4 Pages

    Drugs that pass for animals will not necessarily be safe for humans. "The 1950s sleeping pill thalidomide, which caused 10,000 babies to be born with severe deformities, was tested on animals prior to its commercial release." This is a good example of why animals do not have the same reaction of humans, demonstrating that it may cause problems with the humans health. Statistics have shown...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of The Pharmaceutical Industry

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    For a drug to get to market it must go through several stages of research and development (Abbott and Vernon). Starting with discovery research, preclinical testing on animals, three phases of clinical trials on humans, and finally FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval (Abbott and Vernon). Out of several thousands of drugs only a few will make it to the FDA approval stage (Abbott and Vernon). Testing is a highly regulated, time consuming, and expensive process. From beginning to end the process can take fifteen years and less than one of five compounds will make it to market where it is still not guaranteed to succeed (Abbott and

    Read More

  • Prozac

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    has since become one of the many reasons to be prescribed the drug. Many people when put on

    Read More

  • United States Drug Policy

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reinarman, Craig and Peter D. A. Cohen and Hendrien L. Kaal. “The Limited Relevance of Drug

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Gene Therapy: Balancing the Risks

    2583 Words  | 6 Pages

    High profile adverse events resulting in disproportionate media attention have prevented a greater difficulty for the field, with the death of Jesse Gelsinger in a trial of gene therapy for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency undermining public trust of clinical research in the US. There is a danger that the gene therapy field may have become too risk-averse in response to these adverse events, and that this could manifest as fewer trials that take longer to commence. In the context of a research environment that is increasingly turning to the developing world for the expedient conduct of clinical trials, it is imper...

    Read More

More about Thalidomide

Open Document