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Family of Henrietta Lacks, whose HeLa cells uphold medicine, settles with biotech company (apnews.com)

submitted 1 year ago by Griseowulfin@beehaw.org to c/science@beehaw.org

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HeLa cells have changed the field of medicine and have led to multitudes of life saving innovations. Unfortunately, the donor, Henrietta Lacks, did not consent to the harvesting of the cell line, and until now, her and her family have not received compensation from companies that profited from products tested and designed with the HeLa cell line. Her family reached a settlement with the company that maintains the cell line for the industry.

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[–] FlyboyM@lemmy.fmhy.net 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

She may be one of the most important figures in medical history. I'm happy her family is finally getting compensated for it.

[–] Senex@reddthat.com 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've never heard of her. Thanks for posting this. Glad her family is getting what is due them!

[–] nevemsenki@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

To be honest, they are not really due any more than Walt Disney benefitting the copyright for infinity after an author's death. But I guess as long as WD keeps getting money, so can they.

[–] FlyboyM@lemmy.fmhy.net 1 points 1 year ago

I think they are owed something. These cells were taken without her knowledge, consent, or compensation. Even the family was unaware of what happened for a period of time while companies made millions from this.

[–] NiklzNDimz@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is such great news. I read Rebecca Skloot's book The Important Life of Henrietta Lacks which dug deep into the family to a degree I don't necessarily agree with. The generational poverty, racism, and countless other wrongs the family endured was laid out, and of course, it also included the internal family strife. Hopefully this settlement is a new start for the family.

[–] BricksDont@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Such a great book. I definitely recommend everyone read it!

[–] crow@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Speaking in strictly technical terms, Henrietta must weigh more than a house by now.

[–] IlliteratiDomine@infosec.pub 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Around 55 million tons of HeLa cells have been cultured. So, yeah, more than a house.

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