The Remarkable Legacy of Henrietta Lacks and HeLa Cells in Medical Research

Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman who died from cervical cancer, unknowingly provided the biomedical field with a groundbreaking tool - her immortal cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells. These cells have been instrumental in scientific research, including the development of vaccines, cancer research, and sequencing the human genome. Lacks' story also raises bioethical concerns as her cells were taken without her consent. Her descendants recently reached a settlement with a biotech company that profited from her cells. The discovery of HPV's role in cervical cancer, which affected Lacks, has furthered our understanding of the virus and its ability to cause cancer.