Thalidomide was a drug prescribed to pregnant women to reduce morning sickness and other symptoms. When taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, Thalidomide prevented the proper growth of the fetus resulting in hideous birth defects in approximately 10,000 children around the world. These children are known as "Children of Thalidomide.” They were born in the late 1950's and early 1960's.

At that time it was not required to test new drugs on pregnant animals before they were given to humans. This resulted in thousands of children being affected by this drug. After the drug was recalled more animal experimentation was conducted only to prove that had there been more extensive animal testing, the problem would not exist.

As a result Distillers Biochemical Ltd., the company who created the drug, set up a trust fund to those affected by the effects of Thalidomide. Established on August 10, 1973, the Thalidomide Children’s Trust (offered to British citizens) was to provide support to those people who had disabilities caused because their mothers had taken the drug thalidomide during pregnancy. A total of 480 people have been accepted by the Trust as beneficiaries to date. Compensation claims continue to grow and, now victims say the effects of the drug are being seen in their own children, almost 40 years later.