HeLa cells have changed the field of medicine and have led to multitudes of life saving innovations. Unfortunately, the donor, Henrietta Lacks, did not consent to the harvesting of the cell line, and until now, her and her family have not received compensation from companies that profited from products tested and designed with the HeLa cell line. Her family reached a settlement with the company that maintains the cell line for the industry.
To be honest, they are not really due any more than Walt Disney benefitting the copyright for infinity after an author’s death. But I guess as long as WD keeps getting money, so can they.
I think they are owed something. These cells were taken without her knowledge, consent, or compensation. Even the family was unaware of what happened for a period of time while companies made millions from this.