Analysis of Henrietta Lacks
The genetic material was still owned by Henrietta Lacks since she didn’t permit her family nor the private institution to use her genes to conduct various research (Biography.com Editors, 2018). Private interests do not need to patent genomes since it is both a burden to the scholarly field and raises ethical concerns about individuals being controlled by a corporation. If one firm patent a genome, another organization cannot investigate it, which may jeopardize their investigations from studying multiple genes. Genes are a component of the human body, and private interests should not be allowed to patent them. Suppose a firm can assert possession of a genome. In that case, it may be possible to prohibit other, more capable private interests from exploiting this information to produce therapies or medications for illnesses (Benno Muller-hill discusses genetics and eugenics, n.d.). It is preferable for everybody if the body is not encumbered by patents.
The individuals who donate their genetic materials and information to the organizations they lead to patents should be entitled to some part of the profits made by the company. Since these organizations have a patent on genomic screening for abnormalities in certain genes, this would increase the gain because it may pay a greater cost for the testing in a competing marketplace. These organizations utilize this genetic information and materials to conduct scientific and medical studies, which later they charge at a higher cost. Therefore, it is reasonable for the organization to entitle the donators to some of the profits made.
Apart from acquiring informed consent from the individuals about the genetic material and information, the government should also consider regulating the commercial use of these materials and information. Controlling this would enable more organizations to utilize the information and materials to carry out in-depth medical research, which would lead to innovations to cure several diseases.
References
Biography.com Editors. (2018, January 19). Henrietta Lacks. Biography. https://www.biography.com/scientist/henrietta-lacks
Benno Muller-hill discusses genetics and eugenics. (n.d.). Holocaust Encyclopedia | United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/oral-history/benno-mueller-hill-discusses-genetics-and-eugenics
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