USA —In a bold move following their recent settlement with Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Lacks family finds themselves back in the legal arena, this time taking on Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical.
The saga of Henrietta Lacks’ immortal cell line continues as her descendants pursue justice for what they deem a disregard of her legacy.
A fresh lawsuit accuses Ultragenyx of exploiting Lacks’ genetic heritage to fuel substantial profits through the production of gene therapies, setting the stage for a gripping courtroom showdown.
In a stark legal complaint, Lacks’ estate alleges that Ultragenyx has treated her as a mere “manufacturing tool,” profiting immensely from the commercial production of adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapies.
The lawsuit contends that Ultragenyx’s gains would have been impossible without the invaluable contributions of Henrietta Lacks’ cells, taken without her consent during a bygone era when such practices were legal.
Henrietta Lacks, a woman who found herself in the racially segregated confines of Johns Hopkins Hospital, unwittingly became a pioneer in the realm of medical science.
During her battle with cervical cancer, doctors secretly harvested tissue samples from her body without her knowledge or approval.
These pilfered cells evolved into the groundbreaking HeLa cell line, aptly named after the first two letters of Lacks’ first and last names.
The impact and controversy surrounding HeLa
HeLa cells, the world’s first immortal human cell line, have reshaped medical research by persistently thriving in laboratory settings.
Their utilization has played a pivotal role in deciphering the human genome and propelling advancements in vaccine development, including the fight against COVID-19.
However, the tale is tainted by ethical dilemmas, with Henrietta Lacks’ family raising questions about the racial undertones entrenched in U.S. research and medical systems.
Based in California, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is at the center of this legal storm, capitalizing on the HeLa cell line to create gene therapies for rare and ultra-rare genetic disorders.
Partnerships with influential entities like Daiichi-Sankyo, Regeneron, and esteemed universities bolster its position as a significant player in the field.
The Lacks family’s civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, insists that Ultragenyx’s continued use of HeLa cells signifies a willingness to embrace a legacy of racial inequity.
With the Ultragenyx lawsuit now in motion, the Lacks family’s pursuit of justice continues. The legal battle seeks not only to secure compensation for the commercialization of Henrietta Lacks’ cells but also to halt Ultragenyx’s usage of the HeLa line without proper authorization.
The Thermo Fisher lawsuit, recently settled, served as a precursor, underscoring the family’s determination to reshape the narrative and reclaim their ancestor’s story.
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