Thalidomide: The Chemistry Mistake That Killed Thousands of Babies

Thalidomide, introduced in 1957 to treat morning sickness, caused severe birth defects due to its chiral nature. The drug's two enantiomers had different effects: the R-enantiomer alleviated symptoms, while the S-enantiomer caused harm. Despite its initial withdrawal, thalidomide was later approved for treating leprosy and other diseases, with strict precautions to avoid use during pregnancy.

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