K12 Thalidomide

Embryology - 2 Nov 2026 Expand to Translate
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K12 Professional Development 2016

Teacher Note
This is currently only a draft designed to help K12 students understand the drug thalidomide. Below are links to more detailed pages that are designed for university level students, that would also be valuable for teacher reference. Links: Thalidomide \| Australian Drug Categories K12 Professional Development 2016 \| K12 Professional Development 2014

Thalidomide molecular structure

Thalidomide is a drug that was introduced on to the market on October 1, 1957 in West Germany. Thalidomide soon became a drug prescribed to pregnant women to combat symptoms associated with morning sickness.

When taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, thalidomide prevented the proper growth of the fetus resulting in horrific birth defects in thousands of children around the world. This is an example for students of inadequate drug testing and a lack of understanding of environmental effects on human development. This is often cited today as a reason to have significant testing of drugs before release and classification of drugs based upon their affects on development.

What is the History of Thalidomide?

What does Thalidomide Look Like?

What does Thalidomide do?

How do We Test Drugs today?

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2026, November 2) Embryology K12 Thalidomide. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/K12_Thalidomide

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