Samaritan's Purse: Helene

Introduction

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent and used to create the HeLa cell line, which has been used in medical research for decades without compensation to her family.

HeLa Cells

HeLa cells are immortalized cells that were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her consent in 1951. These cells have been used in medical research for decades to study the effects of diseases and to develop new treatments.

Impact on the Lacks Family

The Lacks family has never received any compensation for the use of Henrietta Lacks' cells. They have also been denied access to her medical records and have not been able to learn more about her life or her death.

Controversy

The use of HeLa cells has been controversial since the beginning. Some people argue that it is unethical to use cells that were taken without consent. Others argue that the cells have been used for important medical research that has saved lives.

Conclusion

The story of Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa cells is a complex and controversial one. It raises important questions about the ethics of medical research and the rights of patients.

Additional Information

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• The Legacy of Henrietta Lacks
• Henrietta Lacks: The Immortal Woman Behind HeLa Cells