HeLa Cells are the most widely used human cell line. They have been used in thousands of studies, leading to countless discoveries. These cells were unknowingly taken from Henrietta Lacks, a Johns Hopkins Medical Center patient. Dr. Gey at Johns Hopkins Medical Center took some of the cells from Mrs. Lacks's cancer and discovered that they could keep growing and dividing indefinitely. Mrs. Lacks did not know these cells were taken from her and neither did any of her family members. Today, strict guidelines protect individuals participating in a federally funded research study (e.g., in a clinical trial). The study has to go through a lengthy review and participants receive information about all aspects of the study and provide “informed consent” to participate. These guidelines are known as the Common Rule. However, the Common Rule does not apply to cells or tissues removed during medical procedures. Scientists can use leftover tissues from surgeries, and biopsies for research without patients' permission if the patient’s identity is removed. Reflecting on the story of Henrietta Lacks, do you think scientists should be allowed to use cells for research without the patients’ knowledge?Provide at least one reason why it might be justified and one reason why it would not, and then state your position.
HeLa Cells are the most widely used human cell line. They have been used in thousands of studies, leading to countless discoveries. These cells were unknowingly taken from Henrietta Lacks, a Johns Hopkins Medical Center patient. Dr. Gey at Johns Hopkins Medical Center took some of the cells from Mrs. Lacks's cancer and discovered that they could keep growing and dividing indefinitely. Mrs. Lacks did not know these cells were taken from her and neither did any of her family members.
Today, strict guidelines protect individuals participating in a federally funded research study (e.g., in a clinical trial). The study has to go through a lengthy review and participants receive information about all aspects of the study and provide “informed consent” to participate. These guidelines are known as the Common Rule.
However, the Common Rule does not apply to cells or tissues removed during medical procedures. Scientists can use leftover tissues from surgeries, and biopsies for research without patients' permission if the patient’s identity is removed.
Reflecting on the story of Henrietta Lacks, do you think scientists should be allowed to use cells for research without the patients’ knowledge?
Provide at least one reason why it might be justified and one reason why it would not, and then state your position.
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