"In the name of Gruenenthal ... I want to take this opportunity to express our deep regret over the consequences of Contergan and our deep sympathy for the victims, their mothers and families," Stock said at the ceremony in the western German city of Stolberg, where the company is based. "We also ask for forgiveness for not reaching out to you from human to human for almost 50 years ... We ask that you see our long speechlessness as a sign of the silent shock that your fate has caused us."
but...
Gruenenthal said it had acted to the best of its knowledge. "In developing Contergan, Gruenenthal acted according to the scientific knowledge back then and fulfilled all industrial standards for the testing of new medication," Stock said.
Is that true? If so, can the drug maker be held legally responsible? In this light, I guess I can see why they might not have wanted to apologize sooner, as an apology could be seen as an admission of guilt. Of course regardless of legal responsibility, there's moral responsibility.
What do you make of all this? Thalidomide wasn't widely used here, I don't think, but I remember hearing about it as a kid and being horrified by it. Horrified, in that I hoped to Christ i never saw a Thalidomide kid because I didn't have a strong stomach for that sort of thing.
