He-La Cells and Science

Within the last century, enormous leaps in modern medicine have been made possible due to the scientific collaboration between doctors and scientists. Numerous breakthroughs and findings were only made possible through human experimentation; however some of these experiments could seem to be unethical depending on the beliefs of an individual. These controversial decisions were primarily left to physicians early on in the twentieth century, giving science the benefit of the doubt over the patients feelings or beliefs. This all changed once the term "informed consent" became a standard of medical practice and became recognized by the federal government in 1974. The doctor now has a legal responsibility toward the patient which consists of "...ensuring that the three precedents of consent are fulfilled. These precedents ensure that the choice made by the patient is voluntarily, without coercion and that the patient comprehends the choice that he or she is making" (Cole). Prior to informed consent, many patients suffered through painful experiments, however these experiments resulted in groundbreaking cures, and eventually saved many more lives than were lost creating them. The collateral damage of scientific progress prior to informed consent, was entirely worth it in order to make the world a healthier place to live because of the countless advancements in medicine and diagnosis during this period of time.

There have been many individuals associated with advancements in medicine, but none deserve credibility more than Henrietta Lacks. Lacks had a never before seen type of cervical cancer, a cancer that reproduced at rates higher than any cell before. The cells were extracted without consent and developed into an immortal line of cancer cells named He-La (immortal cancer cells from Lacks), which scientists used to preform experiments that would continue to further medicine. Lacks was treated at a time prior to informed consent, so Lacks was clueless to what was wrong or different with her and her cells. However, Lacks did sign a paper upon her entry into Johns Hopkins. This is still not informed consent, by definition the patient must be entirely informed about the procedures and the expected results. Lacks underwent a horrific process of different treatments and radiations until she eventually passed away with multiple tumors inside of her body. He-La cells have gone on to help scientists create cures for numerous diseases. Although Lacks treatment may have been controversial, her contributions to the medical world are second to none.

With the case of Lacks, there were many unjust and immoral decisions that were made by the medical staff at Johns Hopkins. Although Lacks may have suffered greatly,