Horizon Season 2004 Episode 6 Thalidomide - A Second Chance?

Thalidomide was originally released in the late 1950s as a cure for morning sickness in pregnant women. However, it quickly became clear that the drug was causing severe birth defects in thousands of children worldwide. Decades later, Horizon investigates the drug's second chance as a cure for a range of diseases, including multiple myeloma and leprosy. The episode explores how thalidomide works, the history of the drug's use, and the controversies surrounding its second chance. Interviews with patients who have taken thalidomide and doctors who have prescribed it illuminate the benefits and risks of using the drug. The episode also raises ethical questions about the use of a drug that caused so much harm in the past. Can we trust that thalidomide is safe to use now? What responsibility do companies have to make amends for past mistakes? Through interviews with researchers, patients, and activists, Horizon Thalidomide - A Second Chance? offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and compelling issue.