In the John Moore case, what did he sue UCLA over?

• A. For patent rights to his cells
• B. For a share of profits from products
• C. For researching and commercializing his cells without his consent
• D. For recognition as the inventor of the cell line

Answer: (C)

Consent and ownership of biological materials used in medical research are central here. John Moore sued UCLA because doctors removed his cells during treatment and then helped develop a cell line from those cells that was researched and later commercialized, all without his knowledge or consent for that use. The legal question centers on whether a patient’s tissues can be used for research and profitable ventures by the institution without explicit permission. The case is often cited to illustrate concerns about patient autonomy and the boundaries of ownership over excised biological materials. While questions of patent rights, profits, or inventor status can arise in related debates, the action in this case was specifically about the non-consensual use of his cells for research and commercialization.