Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Frances Kelsey, Canadian Doctor Who Opposed Thalidomide, Dies At 101

The Canadian Press, 07 Aug, 2015 12:04 PM
    LONDON, Ont. — Frances Kelsey, a Canadian doctor known for her tenacity in keeping a dangerous drug off the U.S. market, died Friday morning at age 101.
     
    She died less than 24 hours after receiving the Order of Canada in a private ceremony at her daughter's home in London, Ont.
     
    Kelsey was a medical officer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the early 1960s when she raised concerns about thalidomide, a drug that was being used in other countries to treat morning sickness and insomnia in pregnant women.
     
    Despite pressure from the makers of thalidomide to approve the drug, she refused, and as a result, thousands of children were saved from crippling birth defects.
     
    Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lt.-Gov. of Ontario, presented the insignia of Member of the Order of Canada to Kelsey on Thursday on behalf of Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
     
    Kelsey's daughter, Christine Kelsey, says the ceremony had originally been scheduled for September but was held earlier due to her mother's deteriorating health.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight
    NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A lawyer arguing that the rights of homeless people are being violated in Abbotsford, B.C., says the city is blaming victims of the system.

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight

    22-Year-Old Man Arrested After Lewd Act At National War Memorial

    Officers say bystanders saw the man climb the statue and begin the lewd activity late Sunday night. A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

    22-Year-Old Man Arrested After Lewd Act At National War Memorial

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion
    TORONTO — Air Canada says it will no longer transport big-game hunting trophies after the killing of Cecil the lion drew international attention.

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion

    Vancouver Teen, North Vancouver Man Die Of Suspected Fentanly Overdoses

    VANCOUVER — Police say fentanyl is suspected in the overdose deaths of two people in the Vancouver area over the long weekend.

    Vancouver Teen, North Vancouver Man Die Of Suspected Fentanly Overdoses

    Tornado Touches Down In Southwestern Ontario Village Amid Severe Weekend Storms

    Tornado Touches Down In Southwestern Ontario Village Amid Severe Weekend Storms
    Environment Canada issued a statement that said the violent winds of up to 220 kilometres per hour occurred in Teviotdale, northwest of Kitchener.

    Tornado Touches Down In Southwestern Ontario Village Amid Severe Weekend Storms

    Stephen Harper Urges Canada To Stay The Course, While Trudeau Urges Opposite

    Stephen Harper Urges Canada To Stay The Course, While Trudeau Urges Opposite
    LAVAL, Que. — One day after Stephen Harper crashed a Liberal stronghold in Montreal, Justin Trudeau returned the favour Monday, rallying supporters in the heart of Conservative country and taking aim at the government's economic record.

    Stephen Harper Urges Canada To Stay The Course, While Trudeau Urges Opposite