Henrietta Lacks: The Immortal Woman
Biographics・2 minutes read
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a poor black woman, unknowingly provided tissue that led to the creation of HeLa cells, which revolutionized biomedical research and contributed to major medical advancements, yet her identity remained obscured for decades. Despite her contributions, Henrietta faced significant medical challenges, and her family grappled with the ethical implications of her cells' use without consent, a narrative brought to light by Rebecca Skloot's book and subsequent media adaptations.
Insights
- The creation of HeLa cells from Henrietta Lacks' tissue sample without her knowledge or consent not only revolutionized biomedical research, leading to breakthroughs in treatments for diseases like polio and cancer, but also highlighted significant ethical issues surrounding medical practices, particularly regarding informed consent for patients, especially marginalized individuals.
- Henrietta Lacks' life story, marked by personal struggles and her eventual death from cervical cancer, remained largely unknown for decades, reflecting a broader societal neglect of the contributions of black women in science; her legacy was only brought to light through subsequent media attention, prompting discussions about the intersection of race, ethics, and medical research.
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Recent questions
What are HeLa cells used for?
HeLa cells are used in biomedical research for various purposes, including vaccine development, cancer research, and gene mapping. They were derived from the cervical cancer cells of Henrietta Lacks in 1951 and have since become one of the most important tools in medical science. Their unique ability to replicate indefinitely in laboratory conditions has allowed researchers to conduct experiments that have led to significant medical breakthroughs, such as the development of the polio vaccine and advancements in understanding cancer and other diseases. HeLa cells have also been instrumental in testing treatments and conducting studies that have shaped modern medicine, making them a cornerstone of biomedical research.
Why is consent important in medical research?
Consent is crucial in medical research because it ensures that individuals are fully informed about the procedures and potential risks involved in participating in a study. It respects the autonomy and rights of patients, allowing them to make voluntary decisions about their own bodies and health. The case of Henrietta Lacks highlights the ethical issues surrounding informed consent, as her cells were taken without her knowledge or permission, leading to significant advancements in science but also raising questions about the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Informed consent protects participants from harm and fosters trust between researchers and the communities they serve, ultimately contributing to ethical standards in medical research.
What impact did Henrietta Lacks have on science?
Henrietta Lacks had a profound impact on science through the creation of HeLa cells, which have been pivotal in numerous medical advancements. Her cells were the first human cells successfully cloned and have contributed to breakthroughs in vaccine development, cancer research, and gene mapping. Despite her contributions being largely unrecognized during her lifetime, the use of HeLa cells has revolutionized biomedical research, enabling scientists to conduct experiments that were previously impossible. The story of Henrietta Lacks has also sparked important discussions about ethics in medical research, particularly regarding consent and the treatment of marginalized individuals in scientific studies, leading to changes in policies and practices.
What was Henrietta Lacks' background?
Henrietta Lacks was born on August 1, 1920, in Roanoke, Virginia, and grew up in a challenging environment marked by poverty and racial segregation. After losing her mother at a young age, she was raised by relatives and worked in tobacco fields to support her family. Known for her beauty and kindness, she married her cousin David Lacks and had five children. Henrietta's life was characterized by struggles, including her battle with cervical cancer, which ultimately led to the extraction of her cells without her consent. Her background reflects the broader social issues of her time, including the systemic inequalities faced by African Americans, which have become a significant part of her legacy.
How did HeLa cells change medical research?
HeLa cells changed medical research by providing a reliable and immortal cell line that scientists could use for a wide range of experiments. Their ability to replicate indefinitely allowed researchers to conduct long-term studies and tests that were not feasible with other cell types. HeLa cells played a crucial role in the development of the polio vaccine, advancements in cancer treatment, and the understanding of various diseases. They have been shared with laboratories around the world, facilitating global research collaboration. The success of HeLa cells has led to the establishment of a commercial cell culture industry, fundamentally altering the landscape of biomedical research and paving the way for future innovations in medicine.
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Summary
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Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa Cell Legacy
- In 1951, doctors took a tissue sample from Henrietta Lacks, a poor black woman, without her knowledge or consent, leading to the creation of HeLa cells, which replicated rapidly and did not die, revolutionizing biomedical research and generating a multibillion-dollar industry.
- HeLa cells contributed to significant medical advancements, including treatments for polio, HIV, and cancer, while the identity of Henrietta remained unknown to the public and researchers for over two decades.
- Henrietta Lacks was born Loretta on August 1, 1920, in a shack in Roanoke, Virginia, and changed her name to Henrietta at an unknown time; she lost her mother at age four and was sent to live with relatives in Clover, Virginia.
- Henrietta lived with her grandfather in a log cabin without electricity or indoor plumbing, where she worked in tobacco fields and attended a segregated school until dropping out in sixth grade to support her family.
- Known for her beauty and kindness, Henrietta married her cousin David "Day" Lacks on April 10, 1941, at the ages of 21 and 25, respectively, and they had five children together, including their first son, Lawrence, born when she was just 14.
- In the winter of 1941, Henrietta and Day moved to Turner Station, Maryland, seeking better opportunities in the booming steel industry, where black men could earn up to 80 cents an hour, while also facing exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Henrietta institutionalized her daughter Elsie at Crownsville State Hospital due to her developmental delays, believing it was in her best interest, which deeply affected her emotionally, as she visited Elsie weekly until her own illness.
- Henrietta suspected something was wrong with her health a year and a half before her cervical cancer diagnosis, describing a painful "knot inside" to her cousins, but did not seek medical help until after the birth of her fifth child, Joe.
- On January 29, 1951, Henrietta visited Johns Hopkins Hospital, where Dr. Howard Jones discovered a tumor the size of a nickel, later diagnosed as Stage I epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix, which had grown rapidly since her last pregnancy.
- Henrietta's tumor sample was sent to George Gey's lab for research without her consent, as it was standard practice at the time, leading to the development of HeLa cells, which were used in various medical studies and experiments.
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Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa Cell Legacy
- TeLinde's research aimed to reduce unnecessary hysterectomies by improving the interpretation of PAP smear tests, which were developed a decade earlier, to identify non-cancerous cervical cell changes, preventing extreme surgical procedures for minor infections that could be treated with antibiotics.
- Henrietta Lacks' cancer cells, labeled "HeLa" by lab assistant Mary, unexpectedly thrived and multiplied rapidly after being carefully sliced and placed in a growth medium, leading to significant advancements in biomedical research as Gey shared these cells with scientists worldwide.
- Henrietta underwent radium treatment for cervical cancer in 1951, which involved placing radioactive tubes near the tumor; while initially effective, the treatment caused severe side effects, including nausea and skin burns, and ultimately failed to cure her, leading to widespread tumors and excruciating pain.
- Henrietta passed away at 12:15 a.m. on October 4, 1951, after making her sister promise to care for her children; her body was buried in an unmarked grave in Clover, Virginia, next to her mother, with her contributions to science remaining largely unrecognized at the time.
- HeLa cells have played a crucial role in medical advancements, including the development of vaccines, gene mapping, and cancer research, and were instrumental in testing the polio vaccine during a nationwide epidemic, leading to the establishment of a commercial cell culture industry.
- The Lacks family remained unaware of the significance of Henrietta's cells for many years, facing emotional turmoil and anger towards Johns Hopkins for using her cells without consent; public awareness of her story grew after the release of Rebecca Skloot's book in 2010 and an Oprah Winfrey-starring film, raising ethical questions about medical research practices.
