An inspirational story

Henrietta Lacks, who died from cervical cancer in 1951, was a woman who made a revolutionary, global contribution to medical science. Her cancer cells were taken from her without her knowledge or consent, and are the source of the Hela cell line (from the first two letters of her first and last name), HeLa cells have been used in research to develop the polio vaccine, to further work in cancer research, to understand the effects of radiation, and they have even gone into space.

Henrietta Lacks has saved countless lives, and her story has changed the face of research ethics. Henrietta’s legacy has created laws which ensure that studies are completed without barriers to participation in research for those who are underrepresented in trials, and years after her death, the scientific wrongs are being made right

The story of Henrietta Lacks is extraordinary and inspiring. It speaks to the rights of patients and the responsibilities of researchers to conduct scientific research in an ethical and transparent way. It lays bare issues of inclusion, representation and true acknowledgement of a patient’s contribution.

We hope Henrietta’s story will encourage everyone to be part of Grounded Research.

Page last reviewed: August 20, 2025
Next review due: August 20, 2026