Question

Do you think that a patient should retain all rights to their cells or DNA during medical procedures?

Answer 1

Certainly not, but, I, should have the right to know where and how it is been used, if desired confidentiality should be assured. The important thing is that if the material is used for commercial purpose than I should be able to raise a concern, but if it is used to treat diseases or if it benfits mankind than I should be happy.

If scientests had my cells, I personally would not care, I would be ready to handover the discarded part of myself for a greater good, thinking of the millons of people suffering from cancer or some other incurable disease, someday my little contribution may give some hope for these people, than be it.

Resarch from national cancer institute in the United States stated that 90% patient said that they would be willing to donate their tissues for resarch purpose, so that resarch would advance the treatment for future patients. I am definitely part of the 90%. once the cells are out of our bodies, I personally feel we do not have any intrinsic right to them, the key thing is that once part of us, such as cells are removed from our body it ceases to be part of us, for eg, once we donate blood for some cause, than we do not have any ownership on that blood, or for that matter if during surgery a surgeon removes a tumor or some tissues in the process, as far as I am concerned I do not own the material any more.