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?

Question

Timothy Elliott

Biology

20 April, 22:13

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?

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Krystal · Answer 1

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.