Henrietta Lacks Case Study

In this case study we are presented with the case of Henrietta Lack. Henrietta died of cervical cancer in 1951. After her death the tumor that was remove from her cervix had an unusual finding. The cells fro the tumor continue to replicate despite them being outside the body. These cells that are now known, as Hela cells have become the first immortal human cell line that are able to replicate under laboratory conditions. These cells have been used for many research experiments. According to the National Institute of Heath, “Hela cells have also served as the foundation for developing modern vaccines, including the polio vaccine; understanding viruses and other infectious agents; and devising new medical techniques, such as in vitro fertilization.”

If the doctor would have ask for permission than this would be consider morally correct because nothing would have been violated. If the doctor would of obtain the inform consent of Henrietta and explain to her that her cells could help the researchers with their research for certain diseases, I don’t think that Henrietta would of oppose. Notifying her about the use of her cells would be important because according to our text book, “ the main focus is largely on the privacy of genetic data on the safely of human subject research.” Since they would be using her cells for many different studies by having her consent not only would they have respected her moral values, but also they would of kept her privacy. If everything would have been done the correctly since the beginning, I believe that the government should have the right to regulate the commercial use of such genetic material and information. Mainly because of the risk of her cells being use for the wrong ethical reason, If the government has control over what the cells are bring used for then this will protect the cells from being use for the wrong