The issue of medical ethics is one of a sensitive nature in the prevailing times. All over the world, people's tissues are kept in banks. Majorly, the tissue is from parts of patients undergoing or who have undergone through surgery. Use of the human body cells has become essential for learning about the human body. This is based on the fact that research in medicine has necessitated the use of human tissue. In the case of Henrietta Lacks, her cells were taken from her without consent. The matter is further compounded by the fact that her family was never informed about the use of her cells; even after her death. Later on, her cells are turned into a multibillion venture although her is poor. To some extent, her living family cannot even afford basic insurance. To this end, this paper aims looking into the applicability of ethics in biomedical research, racism, and poverty considerations behind the usage of HeLa cells. In addition, the paper will look at whether Henrietta’s family should receive compensation; as a result of the commercialization of HeLa cells.
Every time a tissue is removed from an individual, whether for treatment or for a medical checkup, an ethical issue is sparked. This is usually in the form of individual consent in case doctors want to use the tissue for testing. In the case of Henrietta, doctor Gey took a sample from her, but it was not for personal gain. After initial research, he was able to arrive at the conclusion that the cells had an unusual characteristic. The cells could be able to replicate infinitely, and thus retain ‘immortality’. However, the fact that it took 20 years and an accidental discovery raises questions. It was only after the family’s distant cousin was involved in a research that the family discovered about the cells. The matter is aggravated further by the fact that the doctors ignored the family and went using to use her family for further research. The fact that they were used in the research reinforces the need for compensation for the family.
With respect to the family, the issue of not telling Henrietta’s family about the cells could be based on the fact that the family lived in poverty. Henrietta’s family is reflected where the author states that Fred came back to convince Henrietta. The blacks working in Bethlehem mine usually engaged in shoddy jobs that white people shunned. The meager salary that Fred made looked to be a sizeable amount to the extent that he viewed himself as having ‘made it’. This is reflected where the author states, ‘ black workers at Sparrows Point made about eighty cents an hour at most eighty cents an hour was more than most Lackses had ever seen (Skloot 8)’ In this perspective, the medical society could have ignored her family due to the fact that her family did not have any resources to oppose the move. In addition, telling the family could have seemed an unnecessary hindrance to the expected research. However, after the lapse of that period, her family should have been compensated. This is because her cells continued to be used despite her early death.
In the times that Henrietta lived, blacks were taken as being lesser human beings. In this case, a white person was seen as being of a higher class than that of the black people. In the book, this divide is reflected where the author reiterates that, ‘ work was tough, especially for black men, who got the jobs white men would not touch (Skloot 8)’ The jobs that the blacks got ended up endangering their family and killing them. This is because the workers in the mine breathed in harmful gases and particles. In addition, the workers ended up taking the gases home to their family. Thus, at the initial stages of the research, the family could not be compensated. However, at the time of the disclosure, and in the current times, Henrietta’s family should be compensated. In the current times, issues of racism have been tackled by the society. In light of these changes, the family should be fully compensated for the use of their loved one’s cells without prior permission.
On the basis of ethics, Henrietta’s family should not languish in poverty while their HeLa cells are traded like a commodity. It is not ethical that her family cannot be able to take care of even basic essentials like health. HeLa cells have been turned into a multibillion dollar industry. In the book, the Lawrence reflects on the injustice in existence. He says, ‘ but they made millions! she's the most important person in the world and her family living in poverty If our mother so important to science, why can't we get health insurance? ’ Also, Henrietta’s medical records were printed without prior permission from her family. It is not ethical to divulge a person’s information without their consent. To this end, Henrietta’s family should be compensated for the use of HeLa cells.
At the initial usage of HeLa cells, there no established ethical rules governing their usage. This would have hindered compensation for the family. In addition, Doctor Gey never intended to use HeLa cells for compensation. However, later on, things changed and HeLa cells began to be commercialized. Also, ethical standards changed, racism was nearly eradicated, and justice was availed to all. In light of all these changes, Henrietta’s family should be compensated for the use of HeLa cells.
Works Cited
Skloot, Rebecca . Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. London: Pan Macmillan, 2010.
