Henrietta's cells

Henrietta Lacks was a woman whose cancer cells were taken without her permission in 1951. These cells, called HeLa cells, are special because they can grow and reproduce endlessly outside the human body. This made them invaluable for scientific research, leading to many medical advances like the development of vaccines and cancer treatments. Unlike typical human cells, HeLa cells don’t die after a few days, which allows researchers to study them over long periods. Henrietta’s cells have had a profound impact on medicine, but her story also raises important questions about ethics and consent in research.