Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks (1920–1951) was the involuntary donor of cells from a cancerous tumor, which were cultured by George Gey to create a cell line for medical research, which is now known as the HeLa cell line.

Related Topics:
1920 - 1951 - Tumor - Culture - George Gey - Cell line - Medical research - HeLa cell

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Lacks was born on August 18 1920 in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. In 1943 she moved to Turner's Station, Maryland not far from Baltimore. She married David Lacks I, and they had four children: Deborah, David, Lawrence, and Zakariyya. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Baltimore, and was admitted to the Johns Hopkins University hospital. She died on October 4 1951 at the age of thirty-one, and was buried without a tombstone in the cemetery near her parent's farm in Clover, Halifax County, Virginia. The cells were cultured while she was receiving treatment, and she was not asked about any future use to which they might be put.

Related Topics:
August 18 - 1920 - Roanoke - Virginia - United States - 1943 - Turner's Station, Maryland - Baltimore - Cervical cancer - Johns Hopkins University - October 4 - 1951 - Tombstone - Cemetery - Clover, Halifax County

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The HeLa cell line has been used in thousands of medical experiments, contributing greatly to the understanding of disease processes. There is controversy, however, concerning the use of her cells without her permission, especially since she was an African-American woman, a historically disempowered group in the United States (especially during the 1950s). Her real name was kept a secret for years under the pseudonym "Helen Lane", but was finally released, giving her recognition as a contributor to medical research.

Related Topics:
HeLa cell - African-American

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