Case Study: HeLa Cells & Informed Consent

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman, was treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Without her knowledge or consent, doctors collected her tumor cells, which turned out to be the first human cells to grow indefinitely outside the body. These cells, known as HeLa cells, became a cornerstone for biomedical research, contributing to major breakthroughs like the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, HIV/AIDS research, and gene mapping.

However, the use of Lacks’ cells without informed consent raised serious bioethical concerns:

• Violation of Autonomy: She and her family were not informed about the collection or commercial use of her cells.

• Informed Consent: Highlighted the need for clear ethical guidelines in medical research.

• Equity Issues: While HeLa cells generated billions for the biotech industry, Lacks’ family remained uninformed and uncompensated for decades.

• Policy Impact: Sparked global debates that influenced the development of research ethics regulations, such as the Belmont Report (1979), and reinforced the importance of patient rights and informed consent in clinical and biomedical research.

The case remains a central example in discussions on medical ethics, racial inequities, and patient autonomy.