Essay On Henrietta Lacks

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HeLa cells were a big impact on scientific research and currently still are, the use of HeLa cells should be promoted because of the good they have done. Henrietta Lacks was an African American southerner, she went about her daily life just like any other woman would but one day she began feeling pain in her lower stomach and could not bare it. After making a trip to the doctors she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, her cancer was treated multiple times with radiation but would not stop worsening. Eventually, the doctors gave Henrietta a “consent” form and then let her pass. Years on Henrietta’s daughter decided that the consent form she signed was not right because her mother did not actually know what was happening and the doctors sold …show more content…

Henrietta’s medical care at the hospital was unethical because they stole samples from her and cheated her. They did not tell Henrietta they were taking samples. The doctors took advantage of Henrietta’s illness and kept her cell samples for research in hopes that they could be used to their own advantage. It was also dishonorable for them to take advantage of the fact that she did not know what they were doing. For example, they never informed her about the possible side effects of the treatments she had. Even Rebecca Skloot states in, “Your Cells, their Research, Your Permission?”, “Public response is overwhelmingly consistent and in line with several studies: the public supports the science and wants to help it move forward. But that support is dependent on consent and trust.”, which I think her words are saying that she supports the research for science and it moving forward but disagrees with consent being so bland and hidden because support is dependant on trust. However, we took one person’s life to help millions of others, if I could risk my life to help millions of others I would take the chance and be glad I did as I am sure Henrietta