HeLa cells, the first immortal cells, have helped scientists develop the vaccines for the corona virus and polio. Researchers around the world have used these cells to create medical breakthroughs, but the person behind this vital tool in biomedical research wasn’t even aware that her cells were in the hands of scientists.
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to treat her cervical cancer, where doctors took a sample of her cells without her consent. Because her cells had the unique ability to reproduce in a laboratory, researchers began to use her cells for experimentation.
Now, Ms. Lacks’ descendants are accusing Thermo Fisher Scientific, in a lawsuit, of profiting from the cell line by selling the cells and attempting to secure intellectual property rights on the products the cells have helped develop without compensating the family or asking for their permission or approval. The family’s lawsuit states that the company has greatly profited from its use of the HeLa cell line, while Ms. Lacks’ family still haven’t been paid anything for their reletive’s unknowing contribution.
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to treat her cervical cancer, where doctors took a sample of her cells without her consent. Because her cells had the unique ability to reproduce in a laboratory, researchers began to use her cells for experimentation.
Now, Ms. Lacks’ descendants are accusing Thermo Fisher Scientific, in a lawsuit, of profiting from the cell line by selling the cells and attempting to secure intellectual property rights on the products the cells have helped develop without compensating the family or asking for their permission or approval. The family’s lawsuit states that the company has greatly profited from its use of the HeLa cell line, while Ms. Lacks’ family still haven’t been paid anything for their reletive’s unknowing contribution.
