Research and Bioethics (Topic 2)

Part 2 Research and Bioethics (Topic two)

Scientists were so curious about diseases that they did not care if Henrietta cells were taken without her consent. Hsu referred to Henrietta as a “famous thing”, which implies that she did not look at Henrietta as a human-being. If Henrietta was Caucasians, then maybe things would have gone differently. In the 1950s, African Americans were not considered human-beings so that played a huge role in how Henrietta cells were taken without her permission. Since medicine was a work in progress with HeLa cells, scientists took risks in research such as injecting patients with HeLa cells. Scientists put people lives at risk for the sake of research, but research should not be conducted in that way. I understand scientists wanted to grasp an understanding on polio and cancer, but patients should have been informed on the procedure they were getting done. The doctors were wrong to take Henrietta cells without asking. If they would have asked, then Henrietta probably would have consented. Henrietta was person who helped people in need, so I think she would have allowed doctors to take her cells if they gave her the option. Research should be conducted in a way that does not put innocent people in danger. People are not lab rats and should not be treated like they cannot think for themselves. If researchers ask for volunteers, then maybe people would agree to help out. There are some people who actually want to help make a difference in the world. Research should benefit everyone and not just one scientist who is trying to become famous. I want to conduct research as well, but I am not going to take someone’s cells without their permission to advance my knowledge on diseases.