Were Henrietta’s cells commercially valuable?
Yes
No
Only in certain ranges
Not sure
Answer
Henrietta Lacks’s cells, known as HeLa cells, had significant commercial value. Their ability to reproduce rapidly and indefinitely made them invaluable in medical research, leading to breakthroughs in cancer, genetics, and virology. The sale and distribution of HeLa cells generated substantial profits, but without Lacks’s or her family's consent or compensation. This ethical lapse sparked debates on informed consent and the exploitation of vulnerable populations in scientific research.
HeLa Heroine: Discovering the Legacy of Henrietta Lacks
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