02/18/2026
This Black History Month, we honor Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose life and legacy transformed medical science and reshaped how we think about patient rights, consent, and equity in care.
In 1951, when seeking treatment for cervical cancer, doctors took samples of her cells without her consent or knowledge. These cells can replicate indefinitely in the lab, a trait that unlocked unprecedented opportunities for research.
But Henrietta’s story also reminds us of the ethical failures of medicine. She never knew her cells were taken, her family learned about it decades later.
Racial inequities in healthcare have shaped patient lives and scientific progress. Her legacy helped spur modern informed consent laws, bioethics frameworks, and ongoing conversations about trust, transparency, and justice in medicine.
To learn how you can assist individuals and families that have benefited medical science without their knowledge or consent, visit https://henriettalacksfoundation.org/
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