Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

kairos12

(13,338 posts) Thu Dec 10, 2020, 09:16 AM Dec 2020

9

For those out there in world who wonder why England began using the

vaccine prior to U.S. approval, and why we take longer to do so I have a one word answer.

Thalidomide.

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

For those out there in world who wonder why England began using the (Original Post) kairos12 Dec 2020 OP

yeah, no Blues Heron Dec 2020 #1

As I recall, thalidomide wreaked havoc here in the U.S. too. In any case, incompetence at abqtommy Dec 2020 #2

You recall correctly, whathehell Dec 2020 #3

Sherri Finkbine kskiska Dec 2020 #6

Incorrect: the official count of US thalidomide babies was/is 17 obamanut2012 Dec 2020 #7

17 is 17 too many... abqtommy Dec 2020 #10

Polio vaccine n/m orwell Dec 2020 #4

No, Trump is incompetent. Demsrule86 Dec 2020 #5

I can't see Thalidomide having been stopped by a 2 week delay in authorization. nt LAS14 Dec 2020 #8

Umm no. BannonsLiver Dec 2020 #9

Blues Heron

(6,234 posts)

1. yeah, no

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 09:28 AM

Dec 2020

Not really a good comparison

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)

2. As I recall, thalidomide wreaked havoc here in the U.S. too. In any case, incompetence at

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 09:33 AM

Dec 2020

the governmental level certainly had/has an effect.

whathehell

(29,885 posts)

3. You recall correctly,

Reply to abqtommy (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:02 AM

Dec 2020

Thalidomide did wreak havoc in the US.

kskiska

(27,117 posts)

6. Sherri Finkbine

Reply to abqtommy (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:34 AM

Dec 2020

was denied an abortion after taking thalidomide. She ended up having to go to Sweden.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/karinabland/2016/04/15/sherri-chessen-miss-sherri-romper-room-abortion-reproductive-rights-donald-trump/82957074/

obamanut2012

(27,907 posts)

7. Incorrect: the official count of US thalidomide babies was/is 17

Reply to abqtommy (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:52 AM

Dec 2020

Thanks to the very, very heroic Frances Oldham Kelsey's efforts. She refused to bow to intense personal and professional pressure, and many babies in the US were spared. Her actions directly helped create our strict FDA laws on drug approval.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Oldham_Kelsey#Work_at_the_FDA_and_thalidomide

"Call teh Midwife" has a terrific arc about how this happened in the UK.

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)

10. 17 is 17 too many...

Reply to obamanut2012 (Reply #7)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 02:35 PM

Dec 2020

orwell

(8,002 posts)

4. Polio vaccine n/m

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:08 AM

Dec 2020

Demsrule86

(71,033 posts)

5. No, Trump is incompetent.

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:28 AM

Dec 2020

LAS14

(14,803 posts)

8. I can't see Thalidomide having been stopped by a 2 week delay in authorization. nt

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:53 AM

Dec 2020

BannonsLiver

(18,252 posts)

9. Umm no.

Reply to kairos12 (Original post)

Thu Dec 10, 2020, 10:59 AM

Dec 2020

Not an apples to apples comparison at all.

Reply to this discussion

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»For those out there in wo...