The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge in 1951, went on to become the first immortal cells grown in the laboratory. They became a very important tool in medicine, vital for polio vaccine, cloning and much more. They are still used the world over. Her family never knew this until the ‘70s, nor did they profit, while companies made millions. Henrietta’s son David and her great-granddaughter Veronica will share their perspective with you.