Henrietta Lacks

Cells from Henrietta Lacks' tumor were the launching pad for many modern scientific discoveries. When Henrietta was being treated for cervical cancer in 1951, cells were harvested from her tumor without her knowledge or consent. These cells provided scientists with the first "immortal" cell line, known as HeLa cells, which are capable of living and reproducing indefinitely outside the human body. Although Henrietta wasn't a scientist, her cells equipped the scientific community with an invaluable tool to study diseases, develop vaccines, and conduct research in ways that were previously unattainable. The ethical nature of how these cells were obtained remains a point of contention, particularly in Black communities where medical mistrust persists. This comic briefly highlights some of Henrietta's story.