violation of the rights of the Henrietta Lacks (Zimmer, 2013).
The doctors involved in this case violated the rights of the Henrietta Lacks (Zimmer, 2013). According to doctors’ professional ethics, the consent of the family of the diseased needed to be consulted. The doctors had no right to take advantage of the poor individuals and use the organ of their patient without the family’s consent. The philosophical approach is based on the values and ethical principles. In making decisions, one of the philosophical methods that can be considered is justice. The decision makers should make choice sure that is fair to the patients. The other approach that should be used is nonmaleficence (Summers, 2018) in which healthcare providers should make decisions that do not cause harm. Another method is the autonomy which focuses on respecting the wishes of the patient and the family. The approach that I would apply in this scenario is autonomy to respect the rights of the patients.
According to the situation, the family of the patients did not want the body parts of their family member to be used. The wishes of the family needed to be considered by the doctors. Ethically, the consent of the family needed to be considered as it was the justified thing to do (Summers, 2018). The situation presented shows that the feelings and rights of the family should be considered.
An ethical dilemma was presented is presented since the cells were required for health research. However, the doctors had no right to use the cells without consent. In solving the dilemma, I would urge the doctors to adhere to professional ethics (Summers, 2018). Adherence would ensure that the doctors seek the consent of the family of Henrietta Lacks. With the permission, the doctors can use the cells for medical research and help the community.
In my situation, adherence to morals is the key in achieving professional goals. I would have sought the consent of the family to allow me to use the cells for medical research. In case I acted as the doctors in the article, I would have sought the apology of the family and get their consent. If denied the approval, then I would withdraw the research process.