Henrietta Lacks

Her immortal HeLa cells revolutionized medical research without her knowledge or consent

Henrietta Lacks (1920-1951), an African-American woman whose cancer cells became the first immortalized human cell line, fundamentally transformed modern medicine. Taken without her consent during treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital, these HeLa cells have been used in over 75,000 studies leading to polio vaccines, cancer treatments, and AIDS research breakthroughs.

What makes Lacks' story extraordinary is the unprecedented scientific impact of her cells contrasted with the complete lack of recognition during her lifetime. The HeLa cell line's unique ability to divide indefinitely created unprecedented opportunities for reproducible biological experiments - a cornerstone of modern medical research.

Her legacy raises crucial questions about medical ethics and racial disparities in healthcare. The 2010 bestseller The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks brought global attention to this previously unknown contributor to science, sparking important conversations about patient rights and bioethics reform.

Today, the National Institutes of Health maintains strict guidelines for HeLa cell research while collaborating with Lacks' descendants. Her posthumous honors include a World Health Organization award and a congressional resolution recognizing her contributions to medical science.