I really do think that people have a right to privacy and to know what is being done with all of their tissues. It shouldn't matter if the patient is having surgery to remove an organ or just having their blood drawn. It is still part of their body. Yes, they knowingly gave it up and assumed that these tissues and blood wold be disposed of after they were irrelevant to the patient's diagnosis. I think if researchers plan to use any part of a patient, they need to inform the patient of what more is to be done with their tissues and more importantly, researchers need to take every measure to make sure that these patients understand exactly whats happening. That was part of the problem with Henrietta's family. When her husband and children inquired about her records and cells, they were not able to understand what was happening and what was being done.
Erin Pattridge
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