Granted her permission and was paid.
Although the doctors had already taken cells, when Henrietta died, they did ask for permission. Mr. Lacks initially wanted to refuse, but the doctors said that studies of Henrietta's cells could possibly benefit family members in the future. Then Mr. Lacks agreed and gave permission.
Doctors harvested cells from Henrietta Lacks by taking a small tissue sample from her cervix without her consent during a medical procedure. The cells were then cultured in a laboratory setting by providing them with the necessary nutrients and environment to multiply and grow continuously, becoming the famous HeLa cell line.
suffering from cervical cancer
67 years old
Henrietta Lacks
Crazy Joe is a character from the book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. He is depicted as a passionate and somewhat eccentric individual who had a deep admiration for Henrietta Lacks, recognizing her importance and the impact of her HeLa cells in medical research. Joe felt a strong emotional connection to Henrietta, often expressing his love and respect for her, highlighting her significance not just as a source of cells but as a person with a rich life and legacy.
Henrietta Lacks was treated by Dr. George Gey at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was the physician who collected her cancer cells without her knowledge, which later became the famous HeLa cell line used in scientific research.
Henrietta Lacks' legacy has profoundly impacted her family, both positively and negatively. On one hand, her cells, known as HeLa cells, have significantly advanced medical research, leading to numerous breakthroughs that have saved countless lives. Conversely, the family has faced ethical dilemmas, feeling a lack of consent and recognition regarding the use of Henrietta's cells, which has led to ongoing discussions about medical ethics and racial disparities in healthcare. This complex legacy continues to affect the Lacks family’s sense of identity and their relationship with the medical community.
HeLa cells are a line of immortalized human cells that have been widely used in scientific research. They were the first human cells to be successfully grown in a laboratory and have been pivotal in advancing fields such as cell biology and medicine. They were named after Henrietta Lacks, the woman from whom the cells were originally taken without her knowledge or consent in 1951.
Cervical Cancer
Henrietta Lacks passed away on October 4, 1951, and her family discovered that her cells, known as HeLa cells, were still alive in 1975. This means she had been dead for nearly 24 years when they learned about the existence of her immortal cells. The revelation came as a shock to her family, as they were unaware of the use of her cells for scientific research.
Henrietta Lacks' cells, known as HeLa cells, faced several obstacles in the early stages of culture. One major challenge was contamination from bacteria and fungi, which often compromised cell growth. Additionally, the techniques and materials available at the time were limited, making it difficult to maintain optimal conditions for cell proliferation. Finally, the unique characteristics of HeLa cells, such as their aggressive growth rate and immortality, were not fully understood, complicating efforts to replicate their success in laboratory settings.