Henrietta Lacks
Medical patient, HeLa cell line
Born
1920
106 years ago
Died
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
United States
Links & References
A medical patient from Virginia, contributed to science through the collection of cervical cancer cells without consent, which became the first immortal human cell line called HeLa. These cells were critical in numerous medical breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine and cancer research. Lacks' cells continued to multiply in laboratories across the globe, serving as a foundational tool in biomedical research, despite the ethical concerns surrounding informed consent. The story has prompted discussions about medical ethics and the rights of patients in research.
Her cells became the first immortal human cell line
Contributed to the development of the polio vaccine
Assisted in advancements in cancer research
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