legal system Archives - Marketplace

Who owns Henrietta Lacks' cells?

by Phoebe Unterman and Kai Ryssdal

Jul 9, 2018

A lawyer representing the infamous cell line originator's grandsons is trying to establish guardianship.

Attendees admire a painting of Henrietta Lacks at HBO's The HeLa Project Exhibit For "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" on April 6, 2017 in New York City. A lawsuit against a pharma company from Lacks' descendants brings up a host of ethical questions surrounding medical profits, intellectual property and racial equity.

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for HBO

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