The family of Henrietta Lacks, the Black woman whose cancer cells were taken without consent and used to pioneer numerous medical discoveries, has reached a confidential settlement with biotechnology company Thermo Fisher Scientific. The settlement comes after the family filed a lawsuit in October 2021, accusing Thermo Fisher of selling the cells and attempting to secure intellectual property rights without compensating the family or seeking their permission. Both parties released identical statements announcing the settlement, stating that they were pleased to resolve the matter outside of court. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Henrietta Lacks, a mother of five, was being treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in 1951 when a sample of her cells was taken without her knowledge. These cells, known as the HeLa cell line, became instrumental in medical and scientific breakthroughs, including the development of vaccines for polio and the coronavirus. However, Lacks passed away later that year, and her family remained unaware of her contribution to medical science for over two decades.

On what would have been Lacks' 103rd birthday, members of her family gathered at a news conference to celebrate the settlement. Alfred Lacks Carter Jr., Lacks' grandson, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it was a long fight and that Henrietta Lacks finally got her day. The family's lawyer, Chris Ayers, suggested that similar lawsuits would follow, emphasizing the fight against those who profit from the unethical and unlawful history of the HeLa cells.

Lacks' descendants have long been proud of her contribution to medical science but also voiced anger at how she was treated by the medical establishment. They were particularly upset by the commercialization of her cells. The family's lawsuit accused Thermo Fisher of making substantial profits from the HeLa cell line while providing no compensation to the Lacks family. The lawsuit further argued that Thermo Fisher's actions represented a choice to embrace a legacy of racial injustice within the research and medical systems.

Thermo Fisher attempted to have the case dismissed, claiming that it was filed after the statute of limitations had expired. However, the family's lawyers argued that the limit should not apply since the company continued to benefit financially from the cells. The settlement reached between the Lacks family and Thermo Fisher signifies a resolution to this legal dispute.

Henrietta Lacks' story has shed light on the issue of racial injustice within the American medical system. Her cells have made significant contributions to medical advancements, yet her family has not received any compensation until now. The settlement marks a step towards acknowledging Lacks' contribution and addressing the systemic issues surrounding medical research and racial inequality.

The impact of the HeLa cell line has been immeasurable, with the cells being used in various scientific studies and cited in numerous publications. The story of Henrietta Lacks and her cells gained widespread attention through the bestselling book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, which was later adapted into a movie. Lacks' treatment and the subsequent commercialization of her cells have raised important ethical questions regarding consent and the exploitation of marginalized communities within medical research.

While Johns Hopkins Hospital stated that it never sold or profited from the HeLa cells, many companies have patented ways to use them. Lacks' descendants argue that her case highlights broader issues of racism within the American medical system and the history of medical experimentation.

The settlement reached between the Lacks family and Thermo Fisher Scientific represents a significant step towards recognizing Henrietta Lacks' contribution to medical science and addressing the ethical concerns surrounding the use of her cells. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against racial injustice within the research and medical fields. Last week, senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin introduced a bill to posthumously award Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal, further recognizing her life-saving contributions.