The Degradation Of Medical Ethics

The Degradation of Medical Ethics Concerning HeLa Cells

As a poor black woman from rural southern Virginia, no one would have thought Henrietta Lacks would hold the key to various medical advancements and the production of wealthy scientific industries. Henrietta Lacks had a sample of her cervical cancer cells taken from her to be cultured in 1951 and they were later named “HeLa” cells . Her cells were the first types of cells that were used continuously for experiments due to the fact that her cells were immortal. They never died and grew rapidly and uncontrollably due to their cancerous nature. Henrietta Lack’s cells have been used to create polio vaccines, have been exposed to space, have gone through nuclear testing, and have been used to understand cancer cells more effectively. Yet with all of the benefits her cells have provided to the scientific world and to those suffering from diseases, Henrietta never knew her cells were taken from her in the first place. In the book The Henrietta Lacks Legacy Grows, it was revealed that “Henrietta Lacks was not asked for permission to use samples of her tumour for research”(849 Greely & Cho). This meant that Henrietta’s family knew nothing of the cells being distributed and used around the world for research. The discovery opened up the complex, ethical issues of medical research. The distribution of Henrietta Lack’s cells not only invaded the privacy of the family but also defied human consent which is extremely unethical.

In January 1950, Johns Hopkins colored ward received a visit from a patient named Henrietta Lacks. She came from a poor background and being a mother of five children also did not help her financial situation. Lack’s was tested and it was revealed that she was suf...

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... it is possible to acknowledge the good that the HeLa cells provided while also keeping in mind a great injustice was done towards the Lacks family. Also, some will argue that Henrietta did give informed consent be that as it may, she consented to Johns Hopkins operative procedures not the stealing and the commercialization of her tissues.

The medical advancements and the good that was acquired due to the cells cannot overshadow the fact that immoral practices were the reason of such advancements. If such mindset were used then the Tuskegee Syphilis Study of 1992 and the unspeakable crimes committed by scientist towards the jewish, could all be excused. The information collected and the improvement of the scientific world could have occurred without the violation of informed consent and the callous treatment from the scientific world towards the Lacks family.