In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a young black mother in Baltimore, Maryland, began experiencing pain in her abdomen and abnormal bleeding. She was examined by gynecologists at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and they discovered a large mass on her cervix. Without informing her or asking for permission, doctors sent a sample of Mrs. Lacks’ tumor to a lab for medical research before treating her for aggressive cervical cancer. At that time, it was common practice for doctors to harvest samples from their patients for further medical research.

But Mrs. Lacks’ cells proved to be a medical miracle. While nearly all cell cultures died quickly in the lab, these cells continued to multiply and didn’t age, making them “immortal”.

The cell line, called “HeLa” after Mrs. Lacks’ first and last name, was sent to research labs around the world. According to the World Health Organization, HeLa cells have led to the creation of the polio vaccine and advancements in HIV, cancer, and infertility research.

But the same properties that made the cells a scientific miracle, also made them lethal. Months after her diagnosis, Mrs. Lacks died from cancer at just 31 years old. After more than 70 years, a life-size bronze of Henrietta Lacks will be erected in her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. “This means a lot to my family,” said Ron Lacks, her grandson, at a ceremony unveiling plans for the statue. “My dad is the last living relative of Henrietta… He’s fought through the tears and the pain to tell her story so I can share it with the rest of the world.”1

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References

  1. Bailey, B. C. (2022, December 22). Statue of Henrietta Lacks will replace Robert E Lee. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64059050?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=22dd9c0dcf-briefing-dy-20221223&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-22dd9c0dcf-47677880

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