Though not everyone who takes thalidomide experiences this side-effect, there is no way to predict who will escape it and who will not.

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The deal would also restore the Tata Group to its traditional place as India's biggest conglomerate by revenues, ousting the more abrasive Reliance Industries from the top spot a side-effect that Mr Tata and his colleagues are no doubt quietly relishing.

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To date, no drug has been approved in its leaf form because plants contain a complex composition of compounds with uncertain pharmacologies, metabolisms, side-effect profiles, toxicologies, drug interactions, and no control of relative concentrations.

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