Henrietta's cells were taken without her knowledge. Was permission given to use them?
Even if this was legally permissible.. do you feel that this was morally right?
Even if this was legally permissible.. do you feel that this was morally right?
I have liked this book from day one, its really interesting and grasps your attention right from the get go, I wonder why and is it right to sell these cells without giving profit or some form of reward to the family
ReplyDeleteI don't know which of the two things discovered makes me cringe more, a) the profit made from HeLa cells or b) the Lacks family not knowing about the cell sample being used for a while
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting dilemma. On one hand, so many scientists profited from Henrietta's cells that it doesn't seem fair that she and her family received nothing. On the other hand, I'm uncomfortable with the thought of profiting from selling body parts. That would have implications for all kinds of situations like transplants and even adoption. What if organs (or babies, which could be considered part of the mother's body before birth) could be sold to the highest bidder? That's a scary scenario.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very difficult question to address, because to me it seems very morally wrong. But on the other hand, it was legal back in the 40's and 50's when this was happening. In the book it says that being a test subject was payment for free medical care, but the testing of body cells wasn't known to the patients whose cells were being used. And, she also signed an operation form stating that doctors at John Hopkins Hospital could perform operations necessary to help her.
ReplyDeleteMorally it was wrong, but it was legal at the time. Had doctors not taken uninformed patients cells there would be basically no medical breakthroughs.
I feel coming from the persons point of view it is wrong, they took it with out knowing it. Especially because they were her cells the family was poor. However, scientist were able to do so much with the cells that science has grew so much in the medical field because of it.
ReplyDeleteAt the time it was seen as payment for free medical treatment they were receiving.
ReplyDeleteIt was legally correct at the time. Informed consent was nothing but a thought. Morally right, no.
ReplyDeleteLiterally speaking it was legal but the right for the person to know if their cells are going to be used is needed in my opinion it's kinda like a courtesy thing I think that anyone person deserves.
ReplyDeleteThis is written like "can't put it down fiction". So much great history of cell culture, medicine and research, civil rights and patients rights, African American culture. Henrietta Lacks and her family are in my heart.
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