Henrietta Lacks' Revolutionary HeLa Cells

Since the 1950s, human cells have been pivotal in medical research, saving countless lives. A key figure in this field is Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without consent in 1951. Her immortal cell line, known as HeLa cells, has been used in over 75,000 studies, contributing to major breakthroughs like the polio vaccine and space research. Despite their impact, Henrietta's family was unaware of the use of her cells for over 20 years and received no recognition or compensation. This led to changes in federal laws requiring consent for using human cells in research.

Who was Henrietta Lacks and what was significant about her cells?

• A researcher at NASA

• A doctor who developed the polio vaccine

• A patient whose cells were used without consent

• A scientist who discovered a new cell line

What was unique about the HeLa cells?

• They were the first cells to be cloned

• They were immortal and reproduced rapidly

• They were used only in cancer research

• They could not survive in space

Which major medical breakthrough was achieved using HeLa cells?

• Invention of the MRI machine

• Discovery of the DNA double helix

• Creation of the first polio vaccine

• Development of the first heart transplant

How long did it take for the Lacks family to learn about the use of Henrietta's cells?

• 30 years

• 20 years

• 10 years

• 5 years

Why is obtaining consent important in medical research today?

• To avoid using human cells altogether

• To reduce the cost of medical studies

• To increase the speed of research

• To ensure legal compliance and ethical standards