How one scientist averted a national health crisis - Andrea Tone
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
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In 1960, Frances Kelsey was one of the Food and Drug Administration’s newest recruits. Before the year was out, she would begin a fight that would save thousands of lives - though no one knew it at the time. Andrea Tone explains how Kelsey was able to prevent a massive national public health tragedy by privileging facts over opinions, and patience over short-cuts.
Lesson by Andrea Tone, animation by TED-Ed.
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TED-Ed the reason why a lot of women don’t go into stem jobs is because that a lot of women don’t want to, you look at all these studies about historical events but you cant except the studies about women not wanting high demanding jobs.
Why is it they don't want to though?
At the end of the day, it's just a natural tendency that a women is likely to want to pursue stem. Some still do have this passion, but they're in shorter supply.
TED-Ed what how many members do you need
Jaime Løve Hansen well it definitely isn't down to lack of encouragement, women are the only ones getting special advise in female schools and get accepted into these fields because of their gender even when men are equally or more qualified. At some point we have to admit sexism to create 'equality' is not morally correct.
I was born in July 1962 and my mother suffered terribly from morning sickness while she was pregnant with me. My parents had moved to the US a couple of years earlier from Canada, where thalidomide was widely prescribed to pregnant women. Many, many children in were born in Canada at that time with horrible deformities due to thalidomide. My mother told me there's no doubt she would have asked for thalidomide had she still lived in Canada. Dr Kelsey may well have changed the course of my life, and I am forever grateful for her diligence.
Oh. My. God. You are EXTREMELY LUCKY! Hopefully you are living your best life.
Thank you for sharing, john!
💜
As a pharmacist, I thank Dr. Kelsey for her contribution to the profession. As my mentors have told me "always practice evidence-based medicine, not eminence-based medicine"
Please explain this qoute
@@vivofoottheseventh7393 well, eminence refers to a person in a position of superiority and renown. Basically it’s referring to someone who’s respected and powerful. So in the case if this quote, it’s saying that if a person or company of eminence says something that directly contradicts the evidence, you should always prioritize what the evidence suggests over what the person says. So in this case the company that made thalidomide was a large, influential drug corporation, and they claimed thalidomide was safe. That would be eminence based science, and Dr Kelsey rejected it in favor of the actual evidence. Basically, don’t let someone’s supposed superiority or power influence you into disregarding evidence, if the conclusion based on the evidence contradicts the opinion of the people in power it’s your job as a scientist to follow the evidence regardless of who tries to convince you otherwise.
She was definitely a hero for standing her ground on Thalidomide. However, I think it's also important to applaud the FDA for supporting her. At the time, women were still facing a ton of prejudice at work. The FDA could easily have pressured her to approve the drug, and she might've cracked under the pressure.
The rejection of Thalidomide in the US is easily the greatest triumph of the FDA.
RainAngel111 Agreed
Too bad they lost their greatness when they forgot to check the meds. Food is slightly better but not much.
I wonder if back then in the news headlines the stories weren't somehow managing to give more credit to men who were more in the background, while pretty much neglecting her.
Thanks to Dr. Frances Kelsey and the FDA, the horrors of Thalidomide was something that US citizens read about in the newspapers, rather than being a tragedy that could be seen in our own backyard.
I was honestly surprised to hear that the FDA backed her. When it got to the part where the company was trying to pin blame on her, I was expecting a part where she had to legally fight to keep her job or something. I don't know if the story of Thalidomide is widely told/taught in the countries where it was used, but I never learned of it until I watched "Call the Midwife" on Netflix.
I saw the title, I knew it was Thalidomide.
Frances Oldham Kelsey was a legend. What she did left a mark in history. I am so proud of her. I will forever be grateful to Kelsey.
At least the FDA backed her all the way. You don't often see that; a dissenting voice usually blocked by those up the chain of command who primarily care about making investors happy. Or, in a government agency, there is pressure from lobbyists and from representatives who favor big business.
So much truth. Politics can do so much harm if abused.
The days of rationality and reason are _mostly_ gone.
Paul Drake Not the FDA tho
Paul Drake
, Fortunately Merrell didn't go that route or they didn't have a powerful backer to force FDA to approve their application.
Some of those lobbyist hate business and anyone doing anything productive.
Growing up in Germany, I've heard the story of Thalidomide many times, but always as a depressing and haunting tragedy.
Glad to hear so many people could be saved and this story could become the remarkably impressive inspiration we see here!
Frances is a true hero.
*Well Kelsey was a badass...can we all agree on that???*
*Come on guys, let's all agree on that!*
Agreed! Aha yeah we can!
Yess
Frontier Music, NOICE!
Nihal Mohammed, any other female scientists that you love?
Aspect Science Just be aware that this positive comment is going to get ruined by irrational incels.
Preventing the thalidomide birth defect tragedy from devastating American families ... there are many unsung heroes throughout American history, but it truly should be noted when a scientist gets such honors, for they truly did something great.
But for every tragedy averted, there are dozens that aren't. Companies fought hard to keep selling things like leaded gasoline and asbestos, and even today food and drug safety standards in the US are abysmal.
The opioid crisis in the US is a result of this. Drug companies were allowed to sell extremely addictive pain killers meant for terminal patients as over-the-counter medicine for anything from a soar throat to a sprained ankle... fines of a few million were given out, against billions in profits, so the companies just smiled and continued with their practices to this day...
@@SeedlingNL sad reality
'In November 1961, thalidomide was pulled from the German market.
Nonetheless, Merrell continued trying to get it approved in the US
for several months before withdrawing their sixth and final application.'
what a-holes.
I wonder how they would have reacted if someone had tried to give them a dose of their own medicine, literally.
@Robert Lozyniak: Very chill. It had no negative impact on non-pregnant women or men.
What, you expect companies to value human life over money? HAHAHAHA
Galo Aguirre -
ÑyfsGalo Aguirre trata Si porque comenté amor que mal Amor queria gggggff
"She graduated highschool at 15 with recognition" 😶😯
I graduated at 16
@@pallav8725 how is that even possible? Is there like a special program?
Depends on where you are. I think that in American high schools, at least in the more, education friendly states, AP classes in high school is a better idea than graduating early for college.
@@Marklee-lx7cd tbh it's not uncommon in certain places.
I graduated HS at 16, and an engineering undergraduate at 21. It's not uncommon in most places, or most education institutions.
i'm so happy you guys make these.
2:56
"Papers please"
"Why are you visiting"
"For work"
"This is expired"
"I was busy"
"DENIED"
Hi
Glory to Arstotzka
What
Glory to Arstotzka indeed
@@chickentail7108 its because the game papers please
She’s so badass 👏🏼 So glad there were, and are, people like this in the world!
Science with Katie Just be aware that this positive comment is going to get ruined by irrational incels.
RetroSupporter93
Thalidomide is anything but "toxic". It's just a racemate, where one of the enantiomers happens to have teratogenic properties.
Geraldine rose
Science with Katie You have a cummable face.
**She were
"Facts over opinions". That's a fantastic and logical statement. I wish EVERYTHING was that way regarding the medical field.
SHE ACTUALLY GOT RECOGNITION I TOTALLY DIDN'T EXPECT THAT THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY
😊
My mom was born in the 1960's and to think that this woman's decision helped my grandmother deliver a healthy baby who later got married and had me is mind blowing.
K can someone explain to me why I’m crying? 😭 Why am I so proud of people I’ve never met?
Im not crying you are ! 😭
Pheobe Owusu heyy
Pheobe Owusu same here dude. Hella tears
u weird
Pheobe Owusu because you are brain washed
_Frances Oldham Kelsey_
1914-2015
O_o
She lived 101 years ?! Holy guacamole ! Color me impressed.
I agree
I think that may be in the 144 pack of crayons from Crayola with a sharpener and a crayon color mixer.
she deserves it XD
@@alexwang982impressed is my favorite color I just love how vibrant it is
She new her medicines!
what a cute animation tho
big fax
Thanks bbe
Cute?
She represents a strong and intelligent women who never gave up even when they rejected her multiple times.
Who rejected her? She rejected the drug company multiple times?
@@crissd8283 Kelsey rejected her report so many times...
@@crissd8283 ig you could say the University of Chicago rejected her womanhood
Ah, there it is. Subconscious misandry
Did we watch the same video? The FDA didn’t reject her. She was the one who would approve or reject.
UA-cam should add love reaction. Like is not enough for some videos.
UA-cam used to have 5 star ratings
I've been waiting for that as well
Ikr
...and Hate?
dbsirius that would be helpful as well
She lived for 100 years!!!, glad to have lived with such greatness in my time.
It’s amazing how prejudice could impact things, and reminds me that many women, people of colour and those with disabilities were often disregarded, and the impact so many could of had that we will just never know. Amazing story!
We’re gonna be doing a skit pretending to be a scientist for class and every other girl is doing Marie Curie but I wanna do Frances Oldham Kelsey
Extremely inspiring and empowering for people worldwide ❤️ unsung heroes deserve more recognition
Daniel Fernandez I didn't know about her so she unsung for me. So stop being a jackass , people outside the US don't know her similarly you might not know someone similar from India or Pakistan so these videos are a necessity.
by the logic Winston Churchill is unsung because some dude in africa doesn't know about him lmao.
It makes me so happy that she actually got the recognition that she deserved. I was expecting the FDA to try to encourage her to let the application through, or for someone else to get the credit for her work.
Why? Because she women you think that by default the men around her can't except her opinion
We love you Dr. Kelsey. Without you, I could have never been born. I thank you so much for your unwavering bravery and courage because it could have easily have given me life, or at least a life without any disparages. Thank you.
Kelsey: *reviews the first application of thalidomide*
Also Kelsey: Something's wrong, I can feel it.
"A disturbence in the force, I sense."
is this supposed to be a joke? learn to meme, man 😫
@@gordonlekfors2708 Sir you realize you just commented on 2 year old comment... right?
0:29 I love how she reaches down and pulls the graduation marker to the left :D
*What a Legend!*
This world direly needs more women like her.
Don't need her be like her
I hate when there are amazing people in history and no one talks about them.
She saved many lives from being crippled.
She is a Hero!
Thanks Doc.
Imagine if Thalidomide is not stopped that time.
I might not have my legs now..
Here in Sweden, Thalidomide was approved for sale, under the name Neurosedyn. It was marketed as especially suitable for pregnant women, according to the Swedish Wikipedia page! It turned out one single pill during pregnancy could cause severe defects in the child. The USA was lucky to have Frances Oldham Kelsey.
Wait.... She was 101 years old when she died ?!
legends never die
Woah.
Scientists: We adverted a health crises.
Corona-virus: Hold my beer.
Interesting insight into big pharma. Lets hope there are still people of her caliber working for us: Male or female.
Peggy Harris I pray so.......
There are good people working night and day - some hitting 80+ hrs a week. I know as I'm one of them (I like to believe I'm one of the good ones least lol) and I'm still here.
I think there's hope for humanity yet!
H. Johal, PhD 80+ hours a week is insane. I hope you guys hard work pay off.
im a student of medical science and i love these ted ed videos cause they give me drive to study harder and question my knowledge more
She lived till 101
She be like: You know Science 101, Merrell?
Pharma 101!!
Because she didn't take any thalidomide lol
I don’t know why this made me cry, but I’m really happy there are people like her. That think about the safety of others, opposed to the money they can make off them. Thank you Francis and the FDA.
And that is why you must not deregulate big pharma...
Jesus Christ Tell that to libertarians
@Afro Samurai: as that party has nothing to say, we rather tell the Republicans wich do.
>government bureaucracy must be the only solution
Jesus Christ wow I didn't know that you had a UA-cam account Jesus.
Andrés Romero Urdaneta who else gonna regulate them if not our democratically elected officials..
2020: “Write that down! Write that down!”
I'm crying. So inspiring, and as always, Ted Ed, QUALITY. How impactful your videos are, how well made...just blows me away.
Yay
Me 2 ❤️
Nøshin Saiyara But why are you crying
antimage antimage cuz I was overwhelmed by the video and the personality of Dr Kelsey, and the fact that she saved so many lives
How are you crying?
That's why USA is no 1.
Supporting honesty and merit is what we require in india.
Hope our PM would do this.
What she did is honestly legendary. And it makes me both sad and angry to hear that, if she didn't happen to have a unisex name, her college application likely would've been rejected out-of-hand solely on the basis of her gender. Then we would've never had the chance to reap the fruits of her genius. A less cautious new recruit at the FDA might've approved Thalidomide, resulting in thousands of babies being hurt irrevocably. It would've been a horrifying cost of systemic bias blocking the way to knowledge and wisdom. I'm so glad that didn't happen. This is a rare and beautiful story of people doing the right thing.
You don't know that. This video clearly stated that she said that as a joke.
2020: how one orange didn’t avert a national health crisis
So true.
What a legend of a human. Amazing.
I regularly go back to this video whenever I feel unmotivated to study. Great reminder that the stuff I am studying now could literally save lives in the future ❤
She was so important, but not many know what she did these days.
Anyone notice as soon as she mentions Thalidomide the music changes to minor? Really powerful impact, Nice job!
This video was healthy for my brain
With the underrepresentation in stem feilds, I can agree there are a lot of boy’s in stem that just don’t want to learn or do work and a lot of the girls that actually try
All people born from 1960 and beyond should be grateful for this scientist’s discovery. She saved us all from possible birth defects from a medicine we thought was safe
The right person at the right place at the right time. Good to know such victories, we could've used one.
“B-b-but we need smaller government! We need government to get out of the way of businesses!”
Let’s never forget what happens when we let big business run wild.
it still does. Who do you think all those regulations hurt? Its small businesses like me, not the big ones. Two things will never change, no matter what system you try to live under. Those 2 things are
1. 20% of the population will control 80% of the wealth and the other 80% of people will control the last 20% of the wealth. That means out of your highschool graduating class, 1 out of 5 of you will be well off with the rest of you fighting over the scraps. Most of this is due to the fact that skilled labor isn't cheap and cheap labor isn't skilled.
2. Justice is green, not blind. Those who are well off get more consideration under the law, and in public opinion. Remember how sandusky was supported by nearly everyone from penn state?
@@funnyanimalshorts643 Is Pen state any where near Pencilvania?
Ehm.... They werent as severe but there are several cases of "big pharma" (hate using that term but it's the only one close to what i mean) getting stuff through the fda through green means, bith after and before the changes in legislation from this event
Merrell was at best a mediun-size company with insufficient connections or capital (although they did try, as aluded to in the video) to influence or bribe the relevant people
This is such an inspiring story. I am so thankful that Frances Oldham Kelsey managed to inform people about the dangerous side effects of the drug thalidomide. Without her millions of precious lives could have been lost. God bless her.
0:16
Thousands?! The conclusion of the story sounds like she saved untold MILLIONS of lives from unsafe drugs!
Thousands of lives is not enough for you? Are you kidding me? Are you a little kid or something?
@@sanxxxx I think the OP is saying that the title of the video is underplaying the effect of what she did
it sounds cold but thousands isn't that big of a number when compared to a few million
Thousands is more immediate number.
However, if this drug had went on, then it would turned into millions.
If she didn't stop pregnant women from taking thalidomide back then , there would be a lot of people with deformities today ! Maybe a million or more .
So glad to watch this. Nice job, TED-Ed. I'm one of those XX humans whose been doing science stuff since I was a girl of 11 years. Got a PhD in Physiology & Biophysics in 1979 and have been doing new drug development since then. All my interactions with FDA have been excellent. I have much respect for the agency. Several of my clinical practice colleagues (e.g., urology, neurology) now work at FDA after a few decades in clinical medicine. Awesome people.
Love your animation!!! Best of its kind. Our father also works at hospital. Anyway love from Nepal!!
That's awesome, Nepali Dudes! Hi to Nepal!
Nepali Dudes ทบ
TED-Ed ๐ศๅใๆื
Nepali Dudes *waves*
I didn’t know Thalidomide was never approved in the US! My grandmother (Canadian) was offered Thalidomide when she was pregnant with my uncle, and simply said « no thanks » to her doctor (it was her 7th pregnancy). Looking back, she was beyond thrilled that she didn’t take it!
i only know about this because of the song "We Didn't Start the Fire"
Wait, really? Where in the song?
@@phcgamer8733 When it says "Children of Thalidomide".
This women single handedly saved so many lives!!
Yes. She was an honor to her proffession.
And.. Yes. It wasn't untill 1950's that women actually became financially obligated to her children and decisions.
At the time.. That *was* the reality
Interesting fact about thalidomide (IIRC): the issue with it is that it’s a chiral molecule, meaning it has two forms that are mirror images (like the letters p and q). One of these chiralities was an effective medicine, while the other caused the birth defects. The chemical reactions used to create it weren’t able to distinguish these, and thus created a “racemic” mixture of both chiralities. Apparently, the bad version’s ability to prevent the growth of blood vessels meant it was at least tried as a treatment for leprosy.
This is a real female role model, unlike nowadays where if you say racism is bad you are considered a hero
Dr. Kelsey is a brilliant scientist and has definitely left a positive impact on the world with her confidence and knowledge. Scientist liker her is what makes the world a better place. It is amazing how she is not swayed by the monetary side of the field and sticks to fact and evidence to ensure the safety of all.
This is the worst case of what corporate greed can lead to
This video actually made me cry 💖 as a female aspiring to be a scientist, learning about this inspires me more
I am so glad she got to see the good she did.
my favorite "i told you so" story ever
She saved so many children. Hurrah for her and others like her. 🙌
Technically, it was her parents who averted the crisis
They named her Frances so she got the job :)
@Connor Elm ???
👍👏 What an inspiring story! We need scientists and leaders like "Frances Kelsey" in today's age desperately!
Tbh when watching this I was so scared and kept thinking that the FDA wouldn't back Dr. Kelsey because of the gender biases back then, but thankfully I was wrong :D
This uplift my spirit. Knowing of a person worth of respecting and that was not swayed by the greed of "powerful" people makes me feel happy and peaceful on the inside. Thank you.
To any young girls (or anyone for that matter) interested in science, there is this amazing book called "Women in Science" by Rachel Ignotofsky. It talks about the work of over 50 different female scientists from Roman times to the Space Race from all over the world. It's a fairly easy read and very detailed, and many of the women did these absolutely revolutionary things yet almost no one today will recognize their names. I recommend it to anyone.
This are the people we should celebrate in America, remember their names and pay tribute. Many of us could have shorter limbs right now.
this video made me proud to be a Chemical Engineering major, i'm following my passion and proving women belong in STEM
Hi TED-Ed! This really inspired me and my girlfriend. Were both in sixth grade going to seventh and we were both asked to be apart of a college STEM program. We had to take Manu tests and we can have our associates degree before we graduate highschool and I was even offered a scholorship for the program. This imspired us because it shows that if we work had we can make a difference. You guys impact so many lives for the better and I want to thank you.
this is why you need a responsible government...deregulation would have meant death and morbidity for so many
Doing the right thing is so rare that you get a medal for it. She's an example of why it's so important.
Like, the part where she said that had her name been Elizabeth, her career might have ended there was really proof of the prejudice against women.
She was an angel in disguise who lived up to the age of 101 and saved thousands of lives. God bless her soul.
I wanna hear about more good stories like this. Thank you Ted-ed.
Simply brilliant.
I can only hope there are more people like her on their way to help put good science forward and keep people safe.
*Reads the title*
Me: I wanna be just like her when I grow up
A great story. It is sad, we haven't moved on much, but we are heading in the right direction. Thank you to Dr. Kelsey
Merrel: the reason why the drug was rejected was because of this doctor
Dr. Kelsey: No u
in our world today, we should not get discouraged when people around you disagree with you, as long as you know that you are defending what is right and what you know deep inside you is right. Thank you for inspiring Ted-Ed!
When people are willing to kill for the dough you know the system needs regulating.
She deserve the reward and so much more. Frances Oldham Kelsey is a real hero,
I'm in love and inspired :))
Hot Sos is that a hate symbol?
Micheal Sawyer nah it's just how I do it when I have social anxiety
same here. i love these videos.
salty saws
We need government funding for tissue regeneration initiatives to regenerate our foreskins and make our bodies whole again!
Kelsey is hero for lives to come forever 🙌
*LETS TAKE ALL THE UNHEALTHY FOOD AND PUSH IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!*
This made my day, keep it up!
Push it to a starving place
Spongebob quote.
That lady saved more than just lives; she 'in some ways' saved the future. Rock on, Dr. Kelsey!!!
#MOTIVATION
#MOODAVERSION ..
She should have had her own chapter in Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage." It was great that the FDA supported her. I wonder if she would have had that same support today.
How admirable.
And you can thank the Australian doctor William McBride as the original whistle-blower against thalidomide.
It was his report that triggered the widespread investigation.