2024-08-07 13:00:16
Cancer cells that were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her consent over seventy years ago have been used for years by biopharmaceutical companies to develop profitable drugs and vaccines. Her family has seen no money from this.
Biopharmaceutical companies Novartis and Viatris are both being sued by the heirs of Henrietta Lacks. Lacks died in 1951 due to complications from cervical cancer, and biomedical research is still being conducted with the tumor cells that were removed from her at that time. Novartis and Viatris have used the cell line for years without permission to develop their products, earning billions in the process, while the family received nothing.
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Heartbreaking story
On October 4, 1951, African-American Henrietta Lacks, mother of five, passes away at the age of 31. The cause of death: metastatic cervical cancer. Lacks is buried in an unmarked grave, as there is no money for a headstone.
But just before she dies, a gynecologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore (Maryland) – one of the few hospitals at that time that treated black patients – takes a biopsy of her cervix and sends the cancer cells to a laboratory for research. All of this is done without Lacks’ knowledge.
In the lab, scientists discover that the cells can divide indefinitely at a high rate – ideal for research purposes. The cell line is named HeLa and is sent to various research institutions.
Worldwide
As Lacks dies on October 4, her cells are multiplying in laboratories all over the world. And even beyond, as in 1960 the Soviet Union sends HeLa cells into space with the Sputnik 6 mission. In the same year, NASA places them in the Discoverer 18 satellite. Both space flights aim to demonstrate how human cells behave in weightless conditions. The experiments show that the HeLa cells divide even faster when gravity is not a factor.
Space biology was certainly not the only research area that benefited from Lacks’ cervical cancer cells. Poliovirus vaccines were developed using them, as well as vaccines against other viruses such as HPV (which can cause cervical cancer), herpes, and Zika. Moreover, many medications have been tested on the cells, contributing to the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF), cloning, and various cancer treatments.
Additionally, in 2020, the ‘immortal’ cell line was used to investigate how the coronavirus multiplies in human cells. With this knowledge, scientists were able to work on developing a vaccine. As of 2024, tens of thousands of scientific studies have been published on the HeLa cells.
Previous lawsuits
Lacks’ survivors had no idea for years that Henrietta’s cancer cells had traveled all over the world, and that pharmaceutical companies were making billions from this.
Even scientists repeatedly failed to ask her family for permission to mention Lacks’ name in scientific publications, provide her medical records to the media, and even publish her complete genetic ‘blueprint’ online (which has since been removed after significant protests).
The new lawsuits follow similar lawsuits that the Lacks family filed against Thermo Fisher, for which a settlement has been reached, and Ultragenyx, which is still ongoing.
Source: Reuters, KIJK 10/2021
Legal Battles Loom as Henrietta Lacks’ Legacy Sparks Ethical Reflection in Biomedicine
The legacy of Henrietta Lacks continues to drive discussions in the fields of bioethics, biomedical research, and patient rights. With the recent lawsuit filed against pharmaceutical giants Novartis and Viatris by Lacks’ descendants, the conversation around informed consent and the commercialization of biological materials is poised to intensify.
Informed Consent: The New Frontier
As scientists increasingly rely on human cells and tissues for research and development, the lack of informed consent from individuals like Lacks raises critical ethical questions. Future trends may see stricter regulations governing the collection and utilization of biological materials, emphasizing transparency and accountability. Institutions may adopt more robust consent processes, ensuring that patients understand how their biological contributions could be used in profit-generating research.
Diversity in Research Practices
The case of Henrietta Lacks has spotlighted the historical exploitation of marginalized communities in medical research. Looking ahead, there is a growing demand for diversity in research subjects and equitable practices in biomedicine. This shift may not only benefit scientific innovation but also foster trust between researchers and communities that have historically been subjected to unethical practices.
Monetary Benefits for Donors
The Lacks family’s ongoing legal struggles point toward a potential new model where donors and their families receive a share of the financial gains from research utilizing their biological materials. This could lead to a paradigm shift in how biopharmaceutical companies approach the monetization of medical research, making ethical considerations as pivotal as the scientific advancements themselves. Expect future legislation that mandates financial compensation for tissue donors, fundamentally altering the current landscape of biomedical research funding.
Rising Public Awareness and Advocacy
As the story of Henrietta Lacks permeates public consciousness, there’s an increase in awareness about the ethical dimensions of biomedical research. Civil society organizations and advocacy groups are likely to influence policy changes and inform the public about their rights in medical settings. This trend towards heightened vigilance may encourage individuals to advocate for themselves and others, ensuring that their contributions to science are treated with the respect and dedication they deserve.