thalodomide is a drug that was developed in the 1950s. it was used as as a sedative, to treat sleeping problems, and anxiety. its use in pregnant women in 46 countries resulted in the "biggest man‐made medical disaster ever": more than 10,000 children were born with severe deformities, as well as thousands of miscarriages. a common condition was that hands or feet were directly attached to the body, with all or part of the arm or leg missing. this condition is known as phocomelia.