[AR] Re: ... Coronavirus
- From: Henry Spencer <hspencer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Arocket List <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 15:44:51 -0400 (EDT)
On Tue, 24 Mar 2020, Barry Jolly wrote:
Thalidomide is a stereo isomer meaning it has two forms for the same
molecule... Later research proved the dextro-rotary form of thalidomide
produced child deformities while the levo-rotary form did not.
Unfortunately, still-later research indicated that the human body somehow
converts between the two forms (not unique but a bit unusual; the details
are not understood), and fairly rapidly too, so administering only one
would not avoid the issue.
...I do not know if thalidomide is useful today.
It's used for cancer treatment and some other specialized purposes, with
great care taken to avoid giving it to potentially-pregnant women.
Henry
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