Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Stalling for Survival - A Lonely Fight Against a Deadly Medicine
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Sep 5, 2025 In this enlightening discussion, Katie Hafner, host of The Lost Women of Science podcast, sheds light on Frances Oldham Kelsey's heroic stand against thalidomide in the 1960s. The brutal impact of this drug on innocent lives is explored, along with the remarkable perseverance Kelsey showed in resisting industry pressure. Hafner emphasizes the critical importance of drug safety regulation and the lessons learned from Kelsey’s steadfast dedication to public health. This captivating story resonates with today’s ongoing debates about pharmaceutical ethics.
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Stalling To Buy Time
- Frances Oldham Kelsey stalled a 60-day FDA review by declaring the thalidomide application incomplete to buy time.
- Her careful skepticism resisted industry pressure to rubber-stamp a wildly popular European sedative.
Placental Risk Shaped Her Judgment
- Kelsey's prior work showed drugs can cross the placental barrier, shaping her suspicions about fetal risk.
- That background made her demand safety data for pregnancy, not just late-term use.
Popularity Can Mask Bad Science
- Thalidomide was marketed as a miracle sedative with no side effects despite weak science.
- The drug's global popularity masked poor clinical trials and sloppy evidence translation.