Ethics of Privacy in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
This paper examines the ethical dimensions of privacy violation as depicted in Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Drawing on two ethical frameworks — Gert et al.'s common morality and Kantian deontology — the paper evaluates whether the disclosure of Henrietta Lacks's medical records and her family's genetic information constituted an ethical breach. Under common morality, the analysis identifies violations of moral rules against causing pain, depriving freedom, and failing to obey the law. From a deontological perspective, privacy is framed as an inherent and inalienable right grounded in personal autonomy and human dignity. The paper concludes that although the privacy violations may not have been recognized as unethical at the time, they would clearly be deemed so by contemporary standards.
- Introduction: Privacy as an Ethical Concern: Privacy violations in the Henrietta Lacks story introduced
- Common Morality and the Moral Rules at Stake: Gert's common morality framework and ten moral rules defined
- Applying Moral Rules to the Lacks Case: Specific moral rules analyzed against privacy violations
- Deontological Ethics and the Right to Privacy: Kantian deontology frames privacy as inalienable right
- Conclusion: Both frameworks synthesized; contemporary ethical judgment applied
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What makes this paper effective
- Applies two distinct ethical frameworks systematically to the same case, allowing for a structured comparative analysis rather than a one-dimensional argument.
- Grounds abstract ethical theory in a concrete, well-known case study, making philosophical concepts accessible and contextually relevant.
- Acknowledges historical context — that the violations were not recognized as unethical at the time — which adds nuance and avoids anachronistic moral judgment.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates framework-driven ethical analysis: each section introduces a theoretical lens (common morality, deontology), defines its key principles, and then applies those principles directly to the facts of the Henrietta Lacks case. This method of explicit theory-to-application mapping is a standard technique in applied ethics writing and ensures arguments remain anchored in recognized scholarly frameworks rather than personal opinion.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief introduction identifying privacy as the central ethical concern. Two body sections follow, each devoted to a distinct ethical framework: common morality (Gert et al.) and Kantian deontology. Within the common morality section, the paper first defines the framework and then analyzes specific moral rules violated in the Lacks case. The deontology section links privacy to autonomy and inherent human dignity. A concise conclusion synthesizes both frameworks. References follow APA style throughout.
Introduction: Privacy as an Ethical Concern
Many ethical concerns arise in the story of Henrietta Lacks. Privacy is perceived as an ethical dilemma in the present day; however, at the time the events occurred, the actions involved may not have been widely recognized as unethical. Skloot (2010) discusses the unintentionally inconsiderate reporters and researchers who violated the family's privacy by printing and distributing everything from Henrietta's medical records to the genetic information of her family. Such disclosure raises serious ethical concerns by contemporary standards, as the sharing of patient information without consent is now strictly prohibited. The case of Henrietta Lacks has since become a landmark reference point in discussions of medical ethics, informed consent, and patient privacy.
References
Bauer, K. A. (2009). Privacy and confidentiality in the age of e-medicine. Journal of Health Care Law & Policy, 12, 47.
Gert, B. (2004). Deciding what to do. Oxford University Press.
Gert, B., Culver, C. M., & Clouser, K. D. (2000). Common morality versus specified principlism: Reply to Richardson. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 25(3), 308–322.
Skloot, R. (2010). The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. Broadway Books.
The Business Scholar. (2014). Data privacy: A deontological perspective. Retrieved from http://the-business-scholar.blogspot.co.ke/2014/06/data-privacy-deontological-perspective.html
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