Biotechnology and Ethics

Henrietta Lacks

The Incredible and Tragic Story of Henrietta Lacks: The Only Known Human With Immortal Cells. (2016, February 12). Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://blackgirllonghair.com/2016/02/the-incredible-and-tragic-story-of-henrietta-lacks-the-only-known-human-with-immortal-cells/

Resources

Audio Interview

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was a poor African American woman whose cervical cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951. These cells -HeLa cells, have became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, gene mapping, cloning, in vitro fertilization, and more.  Although Henrietta’s cells have been used by thousands of scientists around the world and thousands of these have made millions. However, her family was unaware of the importance of the cells and did not receive any payments. In fact, they can hardly afford health insurance.

Sabledoux. (2010, Februrary 14). Henrietta Lacks Family [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/rlINobLQvlg

HeLa Cells

Ted-Ed. (2016, Februrary 8). The immortal cells of Henrietta Lacks - Robin Bulleri [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/22lGbAVWhro

Normal Karyotype vs HeLa Karyotype

Del Carpio, A. (2014, April 27). The good, the bad, and the HeLa. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://berkeleysciencereview.com/article/good-bad-hela/​

HeLa Cells

SciShow (2016, Aug 1). Immortal Cells Turn 96 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/sXY6-wLesYY