The real heroes usually aren't the guys carrying guns

[blakeyrat]

Ever wonder why the US never had any Thalidomide babies?

This amazing woman:

http://io9.com/rip-frances-kelsey-who-saved-the-nation-from-thalidomi-1722969276?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+io9%2Ffull+(io9)

Thus began a fateful test of wills. Merrell responded. Dr. Kelsey wanted more. Merrell complained to Dr. Kelsey’s bosses, calling her a petty bureaucrat. She persisted. On it went. But by late 1961, the terrible evidence was pouring in. The drug — better known by its generic name, thalidomide — was causing thousands of babies in Europe, Britain, Canada and the Middle East to be born with flipperlike arms and legs and other defects.

RIP