Henrietta L. Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951. These cells, called HeLa cells, were the first human cells to grow indefinitely in a lab, greatly advancing medical research, including cancer and vaccine development. Her case raised important ethical questions about consent and patients' rights. Despite her contributions, her family was unaware of the use of her cells for many years. Today, Henrietta Lacks is recognized for her significant impact on medicine, and her story highlights the importance of ethics and respect in scientific research.