AP Biology
Mr. Boyd
September 13, 2015
Thalidomide
In 1954, the drug Thalidomide was synthesized in West Germany. The scientist credited with the creation was Chemie Grünenthal. Three years after it was made, Thalidomide was available to be sold to patients between 1957 and early 1960. In the beginning, Thalidomide was a sedative drug that was supposed to be taken by pregnant women to help calm symptoms that come from morning sickness. It was praised by many as a great, new drug. While it did do that, there was also a very negative effect of taking Thalidomide. Little did scientists know, molecules of this drug possessed the ability to cross the placental wall and affect the fetus inside. Also, some were diagnosed with peripheral