Justice Served: Henrietta Lacks' Family Secures Second Settlement with Big Pharma
In a landmark victory for the Lacks family, a second lawsuit against Big Pharma has been settled out of court. The case revolves around the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks' cervical cells, known as 'HeLa cells,' which have been used to develop numerous life-saving treatments and vaccines.A Legacy of Exploitation
Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman who sought medical attention for her cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in 1951. Unbeknownst to her, her cells were harvested without consent and used extensively in research, leading to the development of vaccines for COVID-19, treatments for Parkinson's disease, and more. This egregious exploitation has left a lasting impact on the Lacks family, who have fought tirelessly for justice.
A Second Lawsuit Settled
The second lawsuit filed by the Lacks family against Novartis, a Swiss-based company that owns hundreds of patents based on HeLa cells, has been settled out of court. According to Yahoo! News, the settlement terms remain private, but both parties have released a joint statement acknowledging satisfaction with the agreement.
A Victory for Justice
Attorney Ben Crump, who represented the Lacks family in this case, expressed his satisfaction with the settlement. 'For the family and her grandchildren, this is certainly justice because people said they would never realize any benefit or compensation from her immortal HeLa cells,' he stated. This victory sets a crucial precedent for future cases involving the unauthorized use of biological materials.
The Lacks family's fight for justice has been a long and arduous one, but this second settlement marks a significant milestone in their quest for accountability from Big Pharma. As we continue to push forward in our pursuit of truth and justice, it is essential that we acknowledge the historical exploitation of Black bodies and the importance of consent in medical research.
#Celebrity
