Question

In 1951, cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks and used for many years in research.

Henrietta did not give permission for her cells to be used, the law did not require that.
These cells have been used in over 60,000 research projects, but Henrietta's family has
not received any compensation for contribution to the research. Do you think the law
should be changed? Should people be compensated for donating their cell to science?

Answer 1

The use of Henrietta Lacks's cells without her informed consent raises significant bioethical issues concerning patient rights and compensation. The case highlights the need for legal updates ensuring fair treatment and recognition of individuals contributing biological materials to research.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ethical Considerations of the Henrietta Lacks Case

In 1951, without her informed consent, Henrietta Lacks's cells were taken and have since been a crucial part of scientific discoveries. Despite the fact that laws at the time did not require consent, her family was uninformed for two decades about the ongoing use of her cells, including their commercialization. Notably, these HeLa cells led to advancements in treatments for diseases including polio, cancer, AIDS, and more recently, COVID-19.

While the use of Lacks's cells has brought forth significant medical progress, it also raises bioethical issues. The debate centers around the concepts of informed consent, patient rights, and financial compensation stemming from biological contributions. The idea that the family of Henrietta Lacks has not benefited from the extensive use of her cells, while others have profited, further complicates the ethics of such medical practices.

Considering these factors, there is a strong argument for updating laws to ensure that individuals and their families are duly recognized and potentially compensated for contributions to medical research. This can help address ethical concerns and provide fair treatment and recognition to donors of biological materials.

Answer 2

Answer: Yes, the law should be changed.

Explanation: It is unjust for doctors and scientists to profit off of a patients cells when they have not obtained permission. A patients cells belong to the patient while they are in the body and still should belong to them when they leave the body unless if they give their consent to the doctor. Not only should consent to use one’s cells be required but it they should also receive compensation since it is their cells. This would have been extremely beneficial to Henrietta’s family who didn’t have much to live on. The doctors who took her cells without asking made tons of money from the never-dying cells, so much that’s they gave lots of the cells away for free. Doctors should not be making thousands off of patients cells and the patient who the cells belong to not making any money.