Do you always thoroughly read consent forms before signing them? 

Henrietta signed a broad consent form giving permission to the staff of John Hopkins to perform any operative procedures they deemed necessary for her proper surgical care and treatment. Based on this statement, do you believe TeLinde and Gey had the right to obtain a sample from her cervix to use in their research? Do you think Henrietta would have given explicit consent to have a tissue sample used in medical research if she had been given all the information? Would you?

i don't always read through consent forms, though because of reading this book I hope I will be a little more careful about that.

I forgot to add, I would give consent. I do wonder given the time period (so much has to do with the time period) and also given her life situation, I wonder if Henrietta would have just given consent because the doctor asked (and he's the doctor so he must be right) or if she would have been un-trusting of doctors.

I rarely read medical consent forms. I think that in most cases I would consent to use of my tissue for research purposes, especially if my identity were deleted. I wouldn't want to risk insurance denials or similar issues, not only for myself, but also for my family. I think Henrietta would have consented, mainly because she seemed like someone who would have wanted to help a good cause, but also because she was apparently somewhat intimidated by the medical establishment

No- I find that the consent forms are often so filled with legalese that it would take too long to read them. I think whoever writes these forms intentionally makes them this way so they can bury things you might object to and you won't notice. Perhaps there should be a patient advocate program which would at least highlight what one is agreeing to when one signs.

When it comes to medicine, absolutely!! You have a right to know all the benefits as well as the potential risks (and I might add, the likelihood of these risks happening). You must be your own medical advocate today.

I think that now I will. In the past, I did not.

I do now!

I try to read them but there is usually someone waiting for me to sign so I feel pressured to rush through. Also I think that the anticipation of the procedure may alter my ability to read critically and ask questions.

No. Never. And I'm a lawyer. I guess I just assume that anything grossly overreaching in a consent form is likely unenforceable legally. Perhaps I'm overestimating the power of persuasive lawyers to argue around consent forms. Then again, maybe I'm just lazy!

To be perfectly honest, no. I'm assuming there's so much legalese that I couldn't understand it anyway. I've just always felt that if something happened, there's always a legal maneuver or two around my signature on the consent form. Besides -- it's all about "informed" consent -- and I've taken that to mean that someone needs to explain the finer points to me for me to be "informed."

I have breezed thru them, but I agree with Lorie above that there are times you dont understand the exactly what is being said. I will think about Henrietta and read them more thoroughly now.

I don't always read the fine print in things that I sign but I might from now on.

I would not have given permission for healthy tissue samples to be taken (which they had with Henrietta) but would have given for the tumor.

I try to, but there is so much mumbo-jumbo it's difficult to know what you're signing. Plus, when you need emergency service, are you going to stop and say "wait, i have to read this, I need to know my rights" . I don't think so. I have faith in my doctor that he will do the right thing.

I've always somewhat prided myself on doing so, but upon reflection, I'm sure I often don't do so as carefully as I should. Several years ago, I got a request for a sample of the skin cells from the inside of my cheek for DNA study at our local state university. With nary a backward thought, I complied. Now I wonder what use is being made of them, etc. They were allegedly to be stored for ID use in the case of a local disaster, or maybe even individual ID in case of death. I don't remember and usually don't even think of that instance, but this book made me reflect on it.

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I tend not to give permission if the use of my cells, blood etc. is wide open with no restrictions.

Not at all. But then again, I don't expect to gain anything should my cells suddenly be discovered as useful to science and study. If they can be used, great! But is it worth to me? Someone I love being cured instead of dying? I could take that.

When my youngest child was 12 and 13, she had bone cancer that was successfully treated. The physicians treating her had a policy of involving the children as much as possible in their treatments and had her sign all the consent forms also, even though she was legally underage. Every consent form ended with the phrase "up to and including death" and yet we both never questioned signing. I no longer read them.

I don't understand the reluctance of some people to agree to the use of their tissue samples, whether for research purposes or just for diagnostic purposes. If anything from my tissues can be used to help someone else, then why not? The samples are already gone from my body. I also value my body and don't relish having parts of it just thrown away. If I were Henrietta Lacks or a member of her family, I would feel proud that her tissue samples grew into something so priceless for future generations of people all over the world.