Henrietta Lacks’ Family Wins ‘Historic’ Lawsuit Against Biotech Company For Using Her ‘Stolen’ Cells For Research & Product Development

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks’ Family Wins ‘Historic’ Lawsuit Against Biotech Company For Using Her ‘Stolen’ Cells For Research & Product Development

Justice seems to have prevailed in a recent court case!

According to reports, the descendants of Henrietta Lacks, whose “HeLa cells” significantly advanced medical science, won their lawsuit against a multi-billion dollar biotech company for their continual use of the stolen cells.

In case you’re unfamiliar, Henrietta Lacks was a Turner Station wife and mother who went to Johns Hopkins medical center in 1951 for cervical cancer treatment. While the treatment was unsuccessful – with Lacks passing away a few months into it — medical professionals discovered that her cells could regenerate outside of her body. This was a rising research effort at the time as scientists understood what could be done with these kinds of cells. Without her knowledge, scientists took her first and last name and called the regenerative wonder “HeLa cells,” which have been used to create vaccines for Polio and COVID-19, and are still routinely used today. A biopic about Lacks and her family’s pursuit for justice starring Oprah Winfrey was released in 2017.

Around two years ago, Henrietta Lacks‘ family members filed a suit against the biotech company Thermo Fisher Scientific. Represented by famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump and class action lawsuit attorney Chris Seeger, they reportedly argued that Lacks‘ cells belong to her, and companies like Thermo Fisher should,

“pay for the privilege to use them in research and product development.”

On the other hand, the biotech company argued they shouldn’t be singled out as many research companies continue to use Lacks‘ cells around the world. However, it seems a judge has decided in favor of Lacks’ descendants.

Announcing the unprecedented win earlier today (Tuesday, August 1st) on what would have been Lacks‘ 103rd birthday, Crump stated in a press conference:

“The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of court and will have no further comment about the settlement,”

Reportedly, the settlement amount will remain undisclosed at this time. Reports also note that the win is potentially setting the stage for Lacks‘ relatives to continue their fight for ownership of their ancestor’s cells against other research companies. However, no further information on other potential suits has been reported at this time.

[VIA]

What are your thoughts on Lacks’ descendant’s big win? Leave them in the comments section below!