Australian woman wins multi-million Thalidomide payout from Diageo

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Yes, and for Hansen's Disease (leprosy), but not during pregnancy

The U.S. (and probably most Western countries) now require drugs to be tested to see whether they cause birth defects.

The problems in Europe, Australia, and other places occurred because thalidomide was being prescribed for morning sickness during pregnancy. The period when morning sickness is most likely coincides with the period in which the fetus's arms and legs are forming.

Suddenly thousands of babies were being born with no arms or legs or malformed arms or legs.

Thanks to those silly government regulators, we were spared that epidemic.