Henrietta Lacks (HeLa cells)

Henrietta Lacks was a woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951. These cells, known as HeLa cells, were the first to be able to survive and reproduce outside the human body, making them invaluable for medical research. Scientists used HeLa cells to develop treatments like the polio vaccine, cancer therapies, and advances in genetics. Her cells have contributed significantly to medicine, but her story also raises important ethical questions about consent and patient rights. Henrietta Lacks’ legacy highlights the importance of ethical standards in medical research and the impact of individual contributions to science.