Judge Considers Motion To Dismiss Lawsuit Against Biotech Company By Henrietta Lacks’ Family

By Ava-joye Burnett, CBS Baltimore

A federal judge on Tuesday heard a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against a biotech company by the family of Henrietta Lacks. The judge’s deliberation could take weeks.

Henrietta Lacks is a Baltimore woman whose cells were taken without her permission decades ago, and they are still being used for medical research today.

“These cells were taken away from her body like she was a lab rat, an experiment and no one even reached out to the family to let them know anything has taken place.

They were nicknamed the “HeLa cells” and played a critical role in medical advancements. Despite having no permission from Lacks or her family, the cells were taken and are still being used for research in many things including vaccines and cosmetics. The HeLa cells were also used in the development of the polio vaccine, along with treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS, leukemia and Parkinson’s disease. Lacks died of cancer in 1951.

Learn more about the lawsuit by Lacks’ family.

HeLA cells are just one example of medical abuse of Black Americans, leading to fears of being”guinea pigs” and threats to doctors who speak up about racism.

Check out our breaking news for more decades-old civil rights issues that are still coming to light.