Which cell line is derived from cervical cancer cells and used in research without the donor's permission?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Informed consent
• C. HeLa
• D. Social determinants of health

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is the HeLa cell line, an immortal line derived from cervical cancer cells. These cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951 without her or her family's permission, yet they continue to proliferate in culture and have powered countless medical discoveries. This example is often used to discuss ethics and consent in research, highlighting how consent and the rights of patients and families have shaped current research practices. The other terms relate to ethical and social aspects of healthcare but are not cell lines: autonomy describes a person’s right to self-determination, informed consent is the process of obtaining permission, and social determinants of health refer to the conditions that influence health outcomes. So the choice that best fits the description is the HeLa cell line.