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Judy Smallman reviews Killing the Messenger by William McBride
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Contents Category: Biography
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In 1960, Dr William McBride drew the world’s attention to the dangers of thalidomide. This drug had been found to cause multiple severe abnormalities in babies born to women who has taken it during early pregnancy. In 1961, thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in Australia, and McBride’s reputation grew as an authority on drug-induced birth defects. In 1971 he was awarded the inaugural BP Prize of the Institut de la Vie for his discovery. He used the prize money to establish Foundation 41, where he continued his research.

Book 1 Title: Killing the Messenger
Book Author: William McBride
Book 1 Biblio: Eldorado, $34.95 hb
Book 1 Author Type: Author
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In 1987, McBride was confronted with reports alleging scientific fraud in a paper he had written five years earlier on the effects of scopolamine on chick and rabbit embryos. After two long inquiries he was declared to be unfit to practise medicine, and was struck off the register of medical practitioners.

McBride’s pain is evident in this autobiography, written in response to what he describes as a campaign against him, brought about through jealousy and resentment of colleagues and to protect the interests of several US drug companies.

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