Thermo Fisher reaches deal with family of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without consent
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The family of Henrietta Lacks has reached a settlement with biotechnology company ‘Thermo Fisher’ for using and profiting off her cells.
Lacks’ cells were taken without her consent while she was a cancer patient at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in the 1950s.
Her family was joined by their attorneys as they announced the settlement — which came on what would have been her 103rd birthday.
The cells from Lacks’ body became a critical research tool for the development of vaccines and medical treatments to this day.
The terms of the agreement are confidential.
