Informed consent: how far must it go?

The case of the Mo cell line was the first to address the issue of ownership of human tissues removed during the course of surgery. It is also about the disclosure of sufficient information to enable "informed" consent for surgical or diagnostic procedures. Can patients have confidence when informed consent fails and conflict of interest may exist? In dealing with conflicting values, health care professionals must recognize that what may be immoral or unethical is not necessarily illegal.