question#8 Responses
Ziying(Katherine)Chen
Class 3A
02/21/13
Draft 3
Question #8 Responses
I don't believe TeLinde and Gey had the right to obtain a sample from Henrietta’s cervix to use in their research. In my opinion, based on the statement, although she signed a document, the doctors didn't explain to her or she might not have understood clearly and not paid attention to the content. Furthermore, the doctors took the cervix sample from her body when Henrietta was unconscious. This is unethical and not fair for the patients. Patients have the right to know what is going to happen to their body such as treatment, diagnosis and surgery. Doctors must explain the detail to the patients and must ask the patients' permission to implement other treatment or take samples. Moreover, patients have their privacy, so doctors should not take the cell samples without permission and use the sample to do research, to send to other researchers and the society. I think Henrietta would have given explicit consent to have a tissue sample used in medical research if she had been given all the information because she was willing to help other people. She always took care of her cousins. For example, according to Cootie who was her cousin, “She used to take care of me when my polio got bad." In addition, when a doctor told her that her cells would save the lives of countless people, she smiled and said she was glad her pain would come to some good for someone. I think her personality showed she was willing to help people and the response showed that she would permit the doctors to use her cells to do research. I always thoroughly read consent forms before signing them because it's about my benefits and I have the responsibility to figure out by myself.
Class 3A
02/21/13
Draft 3
Question #8 Responses
I don't believe TeLinde and Gey had the right to obtain a sample from Henrietta’s cervix to use in their research. In my opinion, based on the statement, although she signed a document, the doctors didn't explain to her or she might not have understood clearly and not paid attention to the content. Furthermore, the doctors took the cervix sample from her body when Henrietta was unconscious. This is unethical and not fair for the patients. Patients have the right to know what is going to happen to their body such as treatment, diagnosis and surgery. Doctors must explain the detail to the patients and must ask the patients' permission to implement other treatment or take samples. Moreover, patients have their privacy, so doctors should not take the cell samples without permission and use the sample to do research, to send to other researchers and the society. I think Henrietta would have given explicit consent to have a tissue sample used in medical research if she had been given all the information because she was willing to help other people. She always took care of her cousins. For example, according to Cootie who was her cousin, “She used to take care of me when my polio got bad." In addition, when a doctor told her that her cells would save the lives of countless people, she smiled and said she was glad her pain would come to some good for someone. I think her personality showed she was willing to help people and the response showed that she would permit the doctors to use her cells to do research. I always thoroughly read consent forms before signing them because it's about my benefits and I have the responsibility to figure out by myself.