Politics & Government

Family Of Henrietta Lacks To Sue Pharmaceutical Companies

Companies are using 'HeLa' cells without permission, according to the Baltimore descendants of Henrietta Lacks.

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In the mid-1900s, Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for cervical cancer treatment. Instead of dying, her cells doubled every day and were nicknamed “HeLa” cells.” They have been part of medical research but were used without permission.
In the mid-1900s, Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for cervical cancer treatment. Instead of dying, her cells doubled every day and were nicknamed “HeLa” cells.” They have been part of medical research but were used without permission. (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MD — Renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced that he will be representing a Baltimore family in what could be an unprecedented lawsuit.

His clients are descendants of Henrietta Lacks. Lacks’ cells were taken without her permission decades ago and they are still being used for medical research today.

Read more on CBS Baltimore.

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