EPISODE · Mar 7, 2025 · 29 MIN
180: Henrietta Lacks and How She Changed the World
from Mysteries and Histories · host Georgia Marie
FROM THE VAULT: today we uncover the incredible yet often overlooked story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells revolutionised modern medicine. Born in 1920, Henrietta’s cells—taken without her knowledge—became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells. These cells played a crucial role in medical breakthroughs, from the polio vaccine to cancer research, IVF, and even COVID-19 treatments.Join us as we explore the ethics, impact, and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and her family’s fight for justice.
What this episode covers
FROM THE VAULT: today we uncover the incredible yet often overlooked story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells revolutionised modern medicine. Born in 1920, Henrietta’s cells—taken without her knowledge—became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells. These cells played a crucial role in medical breakthroughs, from the polio vaccine to cancer research, IVF, and even COVID-19 treatments.Join us as we explore the ethics, impact, and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and her family’s fight for justice.
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180: Henrietta Lacks and How She Changed the World
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