The Lasting Impact of Henrietta Lacks on Today’s Clinical Trials

Cedars-Sinai held a Henrietta Lacks Symposium on March 28, celebrating her enduring legacy while advocating for healthcare equity. The event featured insightful panels and a Q&A with Rebecca Skloot, author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” alongside members of the Lacks family. Henrietta Lacks, a Black tobacco farmer, unknowingly contributed profoundly to modern medicine when her cells, famously known as HeLa cells, were taken in 1951 without her consent. These cells have been paramount for innovations like the polio vaccine and gene therapy. Mischa Harris emphasized the necessity of sharing Lacks’ narrative, highlighting how her story motivates improved ethical standards in clinical trials today. The symposium served as a platform for discussing trust, consent, and equitable healthcare access, reminding us of the significant ethical implications surrounding her legacy. https://www.instagram.com/cedarssinaihsu/p/DHY3dS3Oj6P/?img_index=6