Blood supports the policy of access and use of HeLa cell whole genome data research. The directive was developed as a result of an agreement between the NIH and surviving members of Henrietta Lacks` family and is described in the HeLa Genome Data Use Agreement as well as the NIH Guidelines for Researchers Who Transmit HeLa Data to the NIH and Researchers Who Use that Data (NIH NOT-OD-13-099 and NIH NOT-OD-14-080). The Nih Directive on HeLa Cell Whole Genome Data was designed as a solution to a very unique situation of an identified cell line and does not set a precedent for the deposition and use of anonymously identified human genome data. Under the directive, researchers who generate HeLa cell whole genome sequence data from DNA or RNA are expected to transmit the data to the NIH Genotypes and Phenotypes Database (dbGaP). Verifiers who wish to use the dbGaP HeLa data for research purposes must request the data from the NIH and, if it is found that the use is in accordance with the HeLa Genome Data Use Agreement, access is granted. Researchers submitting HeLa data should also follow the same access process as secondary users of the data to ensure that all uses comply with the HeLa Genome Data Use Agreement. In addition, we ask researchers who publish their results to recognize the contributions of Henrietta Lacks and her family. While the NIH Directive applies to NIH-funded researchers, we encourage investigators not funded by the NIH to comply with this Directive. Researchers, regardless of the funding source, publish scientific results involving the production and/or use of HeLa cell genome sequence data, are encouraged to attach a statement acknowledging the contributions of Henrietta Lacks and her family and confirming that the NIH has authorized their use (see link to the confirmed statement of recognition above, provided by the NIH). Blood policy requires that all slightly renewable resources mentioned in a magazine article that cannot already be obtained from commercial sources be made available to all qualified researchers in this field. The policy is based on the principle that authenticity requires reproducibility. The publication in Blood represents the de facto adoption of this directive by the authors. reagents are included that can be easily made available; in particular nucleic acid sequences, CNA and genomic clones, cell lines and monoclonal antibody clones.

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