Decoding the drug makes more than 10,000 babies with malformations

60 years since Thalidomide was determined to cause more than 100,000 fetuses to die, more than 10,000 babies were born with birth defects, so far the cause is clear.

Thalidomide has been used by many pregnant women since 1954 to give birth to more than 10,000 babies with hand and foot defects. The case is considered one of the most serious medical scandals in human history.

For a long time, scientists did not know why Thalidomide harmed babies. Recently, scientists from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (USA) have discovered that it breaks down a series of proteins like SALL4 related to gene decoding. Without these proteins, undeveloped tissue improves the internal organs and fetal limbs

"There is a similarity between birth defects by Thalidomide and those with mutant SALL4 genes , " Science Alert quoted pharmacist Eric Fischer as part of a new study. "Evidence indicates the disruption of SALL4 is the root of Thalidomide's fetal destruction" .

Butch Lumpkins, a victim of Thalidomide.(Photo: DM).

In 1954, Thalidomide was first synthesized by Chemie Grünenthal Pharmaceutical Company (Germany). Animal tests show that the drug is not toxic. Two years later, the scientific community confirmed Thalidomide for human safety. Gradually, Thalidomide is used by pregnant women around the world to reduce morning sickness .

In the late 50s, German doctors began to see a sudden increase in the number of birth defects. In 1960, the pediatrician Widukind Lenz officially announced the link between infant malformation and Thalidomide. Immediately, Grünenthal recalled all products from the domestic market.

Baby Georgina Harrison is similarly deformed to a father whose grandmother used Thalidomide.(Photo: REX).

In other countries, the intervention moves more slowly. In 1962, all drugs containing Thalidomide completely disappeared from the market. However, Thalidomide has affected more than 120,000 children. Most babies die before birth, about 10,000 babies are born with arms, short legs are abnormal and burning, unclear fingers, even stick together.

For decades, no one understood why Thalidomide had such serious consequences. By the 1980s, the drug was re-exported as a drug for cancer treatment thanks to its ability to prevent vascular growth in tumors.

Thalidomide has been used by pregnant women to reduce morning sickness.(Photo: SSPL).

From the work of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, scientists not only found the cause of Thalidomide harming the fetus but also expected to change the future of the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, Thalidomide still has great potential and is capable of saving people."We now know that this drug affects certain proteins , " Fischer said. " This result will help manufacturers prepare effective medicines that do not cause deformities."