Hela Cells? How Important Are These Cells?

[KALIURANG]; On Saturday, October 19th, 2024, the Undergraduate Study Program in Law, Faculty of Law, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) carried out International Guest Lecture activities, which took place in the Audiovisual Room on the 4th floor, Faculty of Law Building, UII. The resource person for this activity was Dr. Kimberly Bomar., an attorney from Bomar Legal, Stanford, California. The International Guest Lecture, which starts at 09.30–11.30 Indonesian Westren Time (IWT)/WIB, carries the theme, “Henrietta Lacks and the Business, Technology, and Ethics of HeLa Cells.” This event, which was held offline and online via Zoom, was moderated by Head of Undergraduate Program in Law, Dodik Setiawan Nur Heriyanto, S.H., M.H., LL.M., Ph.D., and attended by more than 150 students from Undergraduate Study Program in Law.

In his explanation, Dr. Kimberly mentioned that “Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) was the Mother of Modern Medicine. Henrietta Lacks is the most important name in the field of biotechnology and medicine, which many people may not have known before. In 1950, not long after giving birth to her fifth child with David Lacks, Henrietta was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer that would change the world of medicine forever. On January 29, 1951, Henrietta Lacks attended Johns Hopkins, the only hospital in the area treating black patients. However, during her treatment, Johns Hopkins took two samples from Henrietta’s cervix without her permission or knowledge. Then Doctor Johns sent the tissue samples to a cell biologist, Dr. George Otto Gey. From samples obtained by Dr. Gey, he isolated cancer cells by applying a technique he developed. These cells can grow and divide indefinitely in culture media, so Dr. Johns and Dr. Gey provide the cells for research around the world but do not sell them. Several biotechnology companies have succeeded in making a profit from HeLa cells and have patented how to use them, one of which is Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., which is a biotechnology company with annual revenues of more than $40 billion. Meanwhile, Henrietta’s family did not receive any compensation and struggled to pay for basic medical care.

Due to the HeLa Cell business, Henrietta’s descendants believed that the cells belonged to Henrietta and never gave them or allowed anyone to use them. So they believe that as heirs they have the right to receive compensation and sue the Thermo Fisher Company. Henrietta did not consent to the collection and use of her tissue, but her consent was not legally required at the time, and although Henrietta’s treatment reflected racist experiments against black people, Thermo Fisher was not present when Henrietta’s cells were taken. Ultimately, in August 2023, the case was resolved without a legal decision on whether the Lacks family was entitled to compensation for the use of HeLa cells.” The following is Dr. Kimberly Bomar.

HeLa cells are an invaluable tool in biomedical research. However, it is important to remember the history behind this cell and appreciate the contributions of Henrietta Lacks and her family. This International Guest Lecture event closed with a friendly gathering and lunch together in the Erasmus Room, 3rd Floor, UII Faculty of Law.