Radiolab The Gatekeeper
6 snips
Jul 15, 2022 
Peter Smith, a skilled reporter, dives into the landmark Daubert case, which reshaped the role of scientific expertise in courtrooms. He shares the emotional tale of a family facing the consequences of a controversial drug linked to birth defects. The podcast also unpacks the tension between legal standards and scientific truth, emphasizing the struggles for justice as families contend with the shifting landscape of expert testimony. Listeners are taken on a journey that highlights the profound impact of legal decisions on personal lives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Jason's Birth Defects
- Joyce Daubert's son, Jason, was born with birth defects.
- Jason's right arm was smaller, with only two fingers, leading to childhood struggles and bullying.
Jason's Childhood
- Jason adapted to his disability, learning to tie shoes and cut his nails with one hand.
- He faced discrimination from schools and bullying from peers about his mother's supposed drug use.
Discovering Bendectin
- Joyce Daubert discovered Bendectin, a morning sickness drug she took, might be linked to Jason's birth defects.
- She contacted a lawyer who had won a similar case against the drug's manufacturer, Merrell Dow.