The Thalidomide case in the 1960s demonstrates a lack of progress in modern medicine because it caused what?

• A. Caused children to be born with deformed limbs
• B. Cured many pregnant women
• C. Had no side effects
• D. Was universally safe

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how drug safety testing and regulation protect patients, especially before medicines are given to vulnerable groups like pregnant women. Thalidomide was marketed in the late 1950s as a sedative and antiemetic for morning sickness, but its safety in pregnancy wasn’t properly proven. When birth defects were linked to the drug, thousands of babies were born with limb deformities. This exposed a serious gap in safety testing and regulatory oversight, showing that medical progress could be undermined if drugs aren’t thoroughly checked for teratogenic risks. It also spurred stronger drug regulations and mandatory safety testing that shaped modern practice. The other statements don’t fit the case: it did not cure many pregnant women, it did have harmful side effects, and it wasn’t universally safe.