Question

Henrietta’s children did not realize her cells were being used and studied years after their mother’s death. When did her family find out and how did they feel about this?

Answer 1

Henrietta Lacks's family found out about her cells' use in research 20 years after her death, a revelation that spotlighted ethical controversies in biomedical research. Despite the significant contributions of HeLa cells, her family has not been compensated.

Step-by-step explanation:

Henrietta Lacks's family discovered that her cells were being used in scientific research two decades after her death. This realization occurred without their knowledge or consent, and it raised significant ethical issues regarding the use of human tissues in biomedical research.

Henrietta's cells, known as HeLa cells, have greatly contributed to medical advancements, including those for polio, cancer, and AIDS, despite her family's lasting financial struggles.

In 2013, her family was granted some control over her cells' genetic information, but despite the immense commercial success HeLa cells have achieved, the Lacks estate has not received the financial benefits from their use.