Cells, Sales, and Royalties: The Patient's Right to a Portion of the Profits

Abstract

For approximately seven years, John Moore underwent diagnosis, treatment, and care for "hairy cell leukemia." In the course of treatment, doctors at UCLA Medical Center drew Moore's blood, blood components, by-products, and genetic material, and removed bodily tissues and spleen. Although the primary purpose of this medical care was to cure his cancer, the doctors received his consent to use his blood and bodily substances in research unrelated to treating Moore's illness. Dr. David Golde and Shirley Quan, a technician and inventor, eventually used Moore's unique cells as the basis for the development of the "Mo-cell Line," which they patented and sold to biotechnology companies for considerable profit. Dr. Golde has stated that "to our knowledge, this is the only human cellline that produces these factors."