HeLa Cells - Why the World Owes Henrietta Lacks Their Gratitude

Article by: Neville Yong Min Jen

Ask any STEM scholar, biomedical researcher or physician about HeLa cells and you would more than likely be able to obtain a thorough explanation about the first immortal human cell line ever discovered. These unique cells, which do not die and are able to divide infinitely in a laboratory setting have been pivotal in the treatment of countless diseases along with medical breakthroughs over the past century, with its most recent and prominent application being in research for the COVID vaccine.

While it sounds miraculous, the applications and use of HeLa cells to this day unfortunately stem from systemic racism within the healthcare community. The story begins in 1961 when an African-American woman by the name of Henrietta Lacks was admitted into the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in hopes to seek treatment for an aggressive form of cervical cancer. Throughout the course of her treatment, Lack’s doctors were astonished by the way in which her cells had the ability to survive and reproduce endlessly.

After her untimely death, Lack’s so-called ‘immortal’ cells were presented to a Johns Hopkins scientist George Gey who then proceeded to share samples of the cells with researchers throughout the globe to conduct their respective studies on. These cells, now better known as ‘HeLa’ cells have contributed to many key discoveries in fields of oncology, immunology and vaccine productions. 

The distribution of a real patient’s cells to scientists around the world without gaining

consent from the patient nor her family is unethical and morally unjust. It took decades until Lack’s existing family was finally reached out to. They reached a settlement with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to publish the genome of the HeLa line.

The story of Henrietta Lacks is one of many examples which demonstrates the systemic discrimination and inappropriate methods which can still be found in medical research to this day. As patients, it is important to know our rights and be aware of what constitutes as a violation of HIPAA, or PDPA, in Malaysia.