Henrietta Lacks: The Immortal Woman

In 1951, doctors took a tissue sample from a poor, dying black woman that was given to researchers without her knowledge or permission. The HeLa cells, named for the patient’s first and last name, acted differently than other cells in the lab - they were hardier, and replicated at an amazing rate.
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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Crystal Sullivan
Producer - Jack Cole
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Biographies by the book, get Henrietta Lacks' biography from Amazon: amzn.to/2EGhApd
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[@alanhagan5818]

It's ironic, in death she gave life to so many others. Sadly, she never knew how important she is to the rest of the world.

[@nancyhunter8560]

No, she knows. God bless you Henrietta Lacks. ♥️♥️

[@RIPMatthias]

It was about money why hasn’t her family been given the money that they garnished for those cells

[@FINEDENTIST]

Her and Al Bundy , unbeknownst to him ,a man living on the fringes of Society ,he saved hundreds of Galaxies from destruction, through the use of of his spoiled socks as fuel to power their ships.

[@julespeace684]

So true...she was beautiful.

[@robertlee9712]

Gods chosen people for you all black lives matter as we are the chosen people like it or not APTTMH.

[@kayrosis5523]

Having personally benefited from HeLa cells, I just want to thank her. Though she will never know how much she contributed to the world, she and her cells have saved so many lives. She is a true post-mortem heroine

[@maxhess3151]

I think you mean posthumous.

[@beverlybalius9303]

I have never heard of her,,,, this is amazing.

[@michelemcguire8995]

Now that she's back with Christ I'm pretty sure she knows

[@georgiegirl6969]

Yes that’s unfortunate. Henrietta’s family know though they were left in the dark for 10years... and have never been compensated for the matter that was stolen from their beloved mother.

[@malinstella6965]

Please, research the entire story of Mrs. Lacks before making the statement "and have never been compensated for the matter that was stolen from their beloved mother" Read THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot. I thought was an excellent book. The book was made into a movie for TV, and Oprah Winfrey portrayed Henrietta's daughter Deborah who was a family spokesperson. Hene@@georgiegirl6969

[@NiniEJ]

I visited her grave in Clover on my way back to Richmond a few weeks ago. She actually has a headstone now. She is buried right next to her daughter Elsie. It ended up being a really great detour...completely spontaneous. I was able to meet a relative and see where she grew up ❤️. EDIT: I’m happy to see that this video was edited to include additional information and photos about her gravestone and family!

[@deannamccrimmon7805]

Nisha J. Actually they don’t know where she’s buried at, that’s just where they put her gravestone

[@sunshineroyal494]

@Nisha J. It was said in the book that they didn’t know exactly where she was buried😰😰😰😰😰

[@sunshineroyal494]

DeAnna McCrimmon this is what I understood, that they’re not sure 🤔 where she is🤦🏾‍♀️😰

[@NiniEJ]

Sunshine Royal I don’t know. I visited the place where the family has her headstone and the place where she grew up 🤷🏽‍♀️. She‘s buried in a family plot. It honestly doesn’t take anyway from the experience! I’m sure her spirit is there!

[@piguiranita5792]

I'm from chile yesterday I saw a youtube video where she appeared and I found it so unfair that others were filled with money and were not able to recognize this great woman

[@missykurtz979]

She sounded like such a kind, loving person. She probably would've agreed, had they even bothered to ask her.

[@madmadworld8297]

Since when did WS asked for anything! I guess WS asked the native Americans for their country!

[@johngibson9098]

@L G You had to take it to race. Typical black victim. If she were any other race the outcome would be the same. Quit thinking YOU are a victim if anything happens to any other black person.

[@KimBlaQue]

@Adrian Rybaczyk you're white. I can tell

[@madmadworld8297]

@@johngibson9098 mind your business!

[@madmadworld8297]

@@KimBlaQue white as white flour

[@adamdfish5840]

Thank you Henrietta, your unintended gift to the world has benefitted more people than you could have possibly known.

[@KILLAHSYN]

I'm sure she heard you

[@haltwisen4324]

…. she did nothing, literally anyone could've had those cells in them, she didn't choose to be born with them, so how is she a hero exactly? if the surgeons take my liver once I'm dead for a transplant am I suddenly a hero if its viable for the patient? I mean I have a donor card, do I get credit for that? Henrietta was not a doctor, and did not contribute towards medical science in any way other than being a subject for study by doctors who DID advance medical science using her cells.

[@game_boyd1644]

@halt wisen I was waiting for this comment and I knew humanity wouldn't disappoint me. Well.....I guess you did disappoint me actually.

[@jantruitt9241]

halt wisen She had and still has the only cells that are still alive today and are still being used in research!!! No, she didn’t personally know what her body produced, but she was a very good person that cared about others, and her children most of all! While numerous people have made millions of dollars because of her! So you think that is fair? And yes, you would be a hero if you donated your body parts to others, and you will never know that you are! But others just might. Just be thankful for that because.... her cells just might have contributed to that happening! Shame on you!

[@rabbitskipper4454]

@@haltwisen4324 Reminds me how Trump fans call him a good businessman. He got over 400 million from daddy. Filed bankruptcy 6 times. And despite all that, he still managed to lose 1 billion dollars in 10 years. He's never built anything.

[@coolcutiekitti17]

As an American I am saddened that I had never heard of this woman, her story and her unknowing service to the world. Thank you for sharing this. I like these episodes on little known but extremely important figures

[@amarislinda5646]

Kelly there's many others my love..

[@equarg]

Kelly There is a book about her, her life, and her families continued struggles. It also talked about the journey her cells took and what amazing scientific discoveries were made with the. 😅Also how her cells would “infect” other cells if stored in the same room as hers! When the Russians claimed to have their own “immortal cells”, DNA proved they were Henrietta Lacks. Many wish for some form of immortality. But sometimes, fate has other plans and chooses someone unlikely to be granted that honor. RIP Henrietta. Your cancer may have killed you.....but not all of you. Ironically, it gave you a cellular immortality. You are now a international phenomenon who continues to affect the medical and scientific world.

[@kosmos1957]

There is an excellent book, I read it years ago and didn't have to listen to this Brit saying Henrietter and "asbes-toss" OMG!

[@ruthsnyder1020]

You should watch the movie with Oprah Winfrey...But actually this video told you everything about it.

[@katehobbs2008]

Kristine B he is speaking ENGLISH, correctly, so not sure what your problem is

[@nostalgicfragments]

Isn’t it interesting how the way “HeLa” sounds like “Healer”?

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

Uhhh...... No.

[@lajosing99]

Uhhh....., YES, YES IT DOES.

[@goodgirlkay]

Are you really this stupid, or are you trolling?

[@forevertheaii]

Yes, it really does.

[@chanelmonet1683]

I thought he was saying healer the whole time

[@kari7403]

Its crazy how the 1950's really wasn't that long ago. But, it's almost an entirely different world.

[@melikey3758]

Kari this world was completely different in 2002 when I graduated from high school than it is now. Yes 1950 WAS a long time ago, culturally speaking.

[@jbjb2217]

Yes the 🌎 has changed ask some one 70 yrs old or even a half a century!!!

[@jbjb2217]

@@melikey3758 yes even the 70s and 80s is a long time ago culturally.

[@jbjb2217]

Back when i was kid they made lol 👼 out of(( kids ))children. At least when adults were around. You didnt talk back !! You did what you were told you had no opinion!! If had one you stayed in your place!!! S.T.H.P kids were disiplined!$ and if they git out of line you were thorougly whiped!!!!

[@conspiracytheory9525]

True but ppl like to pretend that it’s still like that in America.

[@chickadeestevenson5440]

If I ever have a daughter, I'm putting Henrietta as part of her name. Because it is thanks to this woman that so many of us are alive.

[@caveymoley]

Nice one Rosalie. That is awesome idea. And definitely something I might also do.

[@ArchangelAva]

I Am A Bajan. Cuthbert will you go way with that, ha! It’s an English name derived from a French name. Neither a mainly Black Country!

[@bongratunrthdoxtrsh5324]

@I Am A Bajan. Cuthbert lmao stfu

[@mongolsnotoriousmc7763]

Henrietta is a feminine given name, derived from the male name Henry. The name is an English version of the French Henriette, a female form of Henri. A short version of the name is Harriet, which was considered the "spoken form" of Henrietta, much as Harry was considered the "spoken form" of Henry in medieval England. The name does not have a race, if you like the name use it.

[@beverlybalius9303]

I Am A Bajan. Cuthbert Well I don’t know about that!!!! I have known 3 white Henriettas in my life!!!! It’s actually a French name..... there is no such thing as a black name or a white name!!!! I have a Grandma named Florence Annie, an Aunt Birdi Ray and Unckle Jack Washington,,,,,, we are white!!! So your theory is out the window!

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Her story should be a section of every biology class..

[@miriam3848]

It is, actually , here in Estonia

[@stormcloud2228]

It is at my school we watched this in class today, I found it very interesting!

[@deloreswillis9224]

Sincerely true !!

[@kelliruiz566]

Because of this amazing woman, I'm alive today. I also had cervical cancer but it was caught soon enough and I've been cancer free for almost 20 years. Thank you for this excellent tribute to her.

[@areiaaphrodite]

Honestly, I feel bad for Henrietta and Elsie. She sounds like a wonderful mother and I can't imagine how much it killed her to have her daughter committed but the fact that no one visited Elsie ever again after her mother's death is so tragic. You'd think maybe her father or aunts would, or maybe their siblings when they reached adulthood but they didn't. It broke my heart to hear that.

[@meighanlynne]

I read an article on Henrietta in nursing school. It doesn’t seem right that her family was never compensated for the use of her cells. I have seen death from cancer and I am saddened to imagine the pain she had in her final days. Thank you for the video, I found out more about her than I knew before.

[@mellie4174]

i agree! they couldn't even afford insurance but people were cultivating and selling her cells for profit. The LEAST they could have done was give them some sort of settlement so that they could buy insurance! good gravy! so much greed!

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

meighanlynne yeah it's kinda like organ donar

[@jademannor9851]

Lol..... go fund me for my dead ancestors contributions to science. Why does this generation think it’s owed something for nothing they did

[@roshay6379]

She was never compensated for her contribution so she could leave it to her family.

[@tattmoo76]

@@mellie4174I'm sure John's Hopkins believes they did compensate her by giving her free medical during her life. And by the standards of the day that was probably a fair trade off for her. She did die but without the care she received nobody would have benefited not her. She would have probably died sooner without the help from the hospital.

[@lzad3764]

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a book I always recommend to anyone who reads.

[@Farzee49]

I do as well...the actual book.

[@atrapforfools]

It should be required reading in schools imo

[@semirabrown9354]

atrapforfools my teacher required us to read it my senior year.

[@FoxDragon]

@@semirabrown9354 I wish more teachers did so. It teaches many important lessons.

[@direofchaossavior1058]

@@FoxDragon my teacher had already sent us copies this summer quarantine as our summer assignment, yet I LOVE IT!, now i must see the movie

[@35andyman]

I'm British and all of this is completely new to me.I find it sad that this lady isn't known about by everyone given her amazing contribution to medicine.It's so sad she suffered such an untimely and painful end.

[@Harleywayne]

I was just educating a few folks on the life of Henrietta Lacks yesterday, who were in desperate need of a reality check. It’s because of her unique make up that we owe our lives and the lives of those who came before us. It’s sad that there are some who can hear her story and not acknowledge her for her contribution to humanity. And despite her contributions, we live in a country that is perfectly ok with her legacy being kept from from the world and buried along with the countless other contributions made by those who didn’t have a voice to speak out against the cruelties they lived everyday. You’ve made a subscriber out of me! Much appreciation and respect for sharing this remarkable woman.

[@michelewashington2119]

Its disgusting how even in this comment section, there are some people being completely rude and disrespectful towards her. Why such hate?????

[@geekermeister6322]

@@michelewashington2119cuz she fucked her cousin and did nothing special

[@amb163]

I'm sitting here, knitting a hat for a friend who is about to start chemo treatment. She is black, and in her 30s. I can barely hold back tears. I'm so glad for the cancer research possible because of this young woman. My friend stands a better chance at winning her battle because of it. However, I'm also so angry and sad about what so many have gone through -- especially how many don't have health insurance when companies make millions in profit. When I say profit, I mean the extraneous money that is made for rich people to become richer, after the cost of production, research, salaries, donations etc. Healthcare should not be a "for profit" industry in that way.

[@feralbluee]

beautifully written :} and i totally agree with you. ( i hope people like you (and me) get Democrats elected . It would be a real mitzvah (happy, terrific event) to have a "for the people, nature, and the Earth" President. . . !!!!!) Knit her a nice warm, beautiful hat and tell her we all wish her well - a lot. . .

[@lordgarion514]

Especially considering the fact that MANY millions of our tax money is given to the drug companies to help with research. Plus research we directly pay for other places that has medical uses is shared with the same companies. But we have the highest prices and they don't even pay us back for our research money when they have a record setting product.

[@Dee8Bee]

I hope your friend is doing better. I don’t believe the cancer research is doing anything except trying to make more money for Big Pharma. I saw this documentary called: the truth about cancer. Well...that was another eye opener..

[@D33Lux]

CBC, Graviola, Cancerina, B-17 Laetrile all destroy cancer cells and are save and natural. Good luck.

[@MeanOldLady]

@@feralbluee - The democrats are the WORST hypocrites. They pretend to care about the poor but are flooding the country with illegal migrants who will be a solid voting bloc for them while we have to suddenly compete with 30-60 million migrants for housing, jobs, medical care, food, etc. This will affect the poorest citizens the most - all so the democrats & their mega corporate backers will have a stranglehold on power in the US. It's all about power & the APPEARANCE of concern for the poor while they hurriedly push for media to ban/silence opposing viewpoints. They were aligned with the nazis before WW2. The nazis even got their ideas for racial purity, euthanasia & eugenics from the democrats. As a jewish person you should be ashamed for wanting to support this Satanic party that riles up their own mobs to attack & silence opposition just like the brown shirts did back then. Antifa in the US is just the newest version of the KKK - a bunch of white thugs sent out to terrorize the opposition. And they openly support terrorist elements like BLM & islam in order to use them to gain control & wealth for themselves.

[@lburns7952]

Her friends and family said she was sweet, kind and very giving. I think Henrietta would have liked the fact that part of her helped so many live and be cured.

[@GT-wj3gl]

Brings a whole new meaning to the old phrase "black dont crack". But in all seriousness, it's good that there are informative videos out here about her. But it's horrible how her family was just completely thrown aside. Did the researchers not think that *perhaps* her family had inherited whatever makes her cells "immortal"? I think that at the very least they should be compensated.

[@LocutusBorgOf]

I was looking for someone to have already done that joke, because that's the first thing I thought of

[@nitesan2814]

Lmao

[@stillstanding4380]

Not to mention the fact that her disabled daughter was never visited after Henrietta's death.

[@christopherturner8596]

So true

[@sagebrooks6907]

Yeas boo🖤🖤🖤🖤💯💯💯

[@bma1193]

Every time I hear Henrietta's story, I can't stop shaking my head and rolling my eyes at how this woman saved so many white Americans, meanwhile they were racist af to Black people. In 1940s medical experts insisted that Black ppl couldn't get polio and shouldn't receive medical treatment :/ Leading up to the epidemic, white ppl died 383 out of every 100,000. And in 1952 during polio epidemic, over 2k americans died and over 20,000 were mild-disably paralyzed. BUT A BLACK WOMAN SAVED AMERICA during one of their worst crisis. Meanwhile in the 50s segregation laws were in effect and lynchings of Black ppl were daily. Henrietta saved so many Americans, is hardly taught about in school,, doesnt receive enough credit from society, and Black women still don't get treated well in America 🙄 just had to block a clueless racist yesterday 😤😩 so unfair it's almost laughable. /end rant

[@rius4194]

Fax

[@doloresboston8571]

Simon could you do a story on the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments?

[@coppoman357]

Please Simon

[@StaticImage]

Wow... this actually gave me chills at the end. More videos like this, please. More on people that may not be as household a name as the majority of your other videos. These videos of lesser known people every now and then are very, very interesting

[@deloreswillis9224]

COMPLETE TEARS .... JESUS CHRIST 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@warrenreid6109]

Chills and tears.

[@crocsqueen1474]

"After Henrietta died, no one went to see Elsie again" WOW

[@lisangelblack9070]

Right. Poor Elsie. Poor Henrietta.

[@harleysq]

just to make it all sadder Elsie died 4 years later after her mother passed away she was 16 (i wish i didn't look that up)

[@reefermadnezz9819]

Don't breed with You're Cousin

[@aidenb3069]

@@reefermadnezz9819 don't forget to study grammar

[@ninapickles9]

@@aidenb3069 hahaha improper grammar is a side effect of "breeding with you're cousin" 😂

[@SueWalimaki]

I read her life story years ago and have always been a hero to me and will be one of the women I would have liked to met in person. Thank you for being a lady who lives in all our lives throughout the world. Thank you Henrietta Lacks.

[@YsabelGamache]

I love the respect and appreciation you show your subjects. It is great to see the compassion you have speaking of the pains she endured. It’s your strenght and what differentiates you from other channels and conventional documentaries.

[@dougroberts9821]

Ysabel G he never shows respect to Christians or conservatives. He’s very biased.

[@libertygiveme1987]

What a BRAVE, BRAVE Woman!!!! And yes, Henrietta's children should have gotten 'Royalties' from the cells the 'Medical Community' took from their mother.

[@plorin3015]

Liberty GiveMe What? No they don’t.

[@JazzRockablity]

they still should.

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

@@BantuRH exactly

[@plorin3015]

John Cenataur Because I feel like you should be awarded for your accomplishments.

[@Crissyjames]

They should give her family money for all that she has given so selflessly IDC right is right!!!! They are morally wrong in not doing so!

[@lenevee4925]

Henrietta's personal story was heartbreaking. However, the amazing things her cells did for science should receive more recognition. I remember a few years ago, my biology professor told us about how important HeLa was and how it relates to HIPAA. It's a deep subject.

[@MartaWomack]

What an incredible story. She's been a gift to the world and didn't even know it. It's very nice to see her immortalized here so others can know her important contribution.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

This one really hit home for me. I’ve been in agony since 26 yrs old and wished for death many times though not suicidal at all. Living with that much pain and no pain killers really work enough... and worrying about your children... that’s my life now. It sucks. Full stop. Her not wanting to worry her family is amazing. Right choice or not ... that’s a strong will.

[@AlucardPeach]

Same.

[@Digital_PeterGriffin]

Try Heroin

[@kelsis1532]

When I went to university the whole freshman class had to read a book about her and I loved it! It made me so interested! Thank you for the wonderful episode!

[@passingby9561]

How Hollywood continues to churn out prequels and remakes of someone else’s creations- they could be making a movie on this amazing human who has literally saved millions of lives. WTAF

[@joshglover2370]

She definitely deserves a movie! 😀

[@jlly16]

Oprah Winfrey did back in 2017, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, after the book. Check it out

[@theuniverseisme432]

Lmao she didn’t fucking do anything.

[@belsnickel9568]

Her poor daughter. She couldn’t express her sadness. I can’t imagine how alone she felt. I hope she’s at peace and living a much happier life

[@mammothmammon]

Thanks Simon. Would have never known about Henrietta if not for your video.

[@coilytextured9374]

mammothmammon Oprah made a movie about it .

[@rosellaaalm-ahearn1760]

What a terrible injustice was done to Henrietta and her family! Her family needs and should have health care for the rest of their lives. Mrs. Lacks was a magnificent woman.

[@stevenschnepp576]

Why should they? Should we start compensating people for donating organs and cadavers, too? Careful - this one ends badly!

[@gloriamrales-king8606]

And not pay taxes for the rest of their lives either! So there.

[@Endymion5000]

Injustice? She received the best possible care at Johns Hopkins and lived longer than others with that cancer, regardless of race or wealth. The doctors followed all consent procedures in place at that time and gave away the cells to researchers to develop other drugs with. She sounds like a good mother and a nice lady, but nothing unusual about her life other than getting good medical care.

[@stephaniebaker6001]

Henrietta was an incredibly brave, strong woman. Her suffering is heartbreaking and no one back then realized how important her case was, or how amazing her contribution to the medical field really had been. She's an unsung hero.

[@jennymunday7913]

The 50s were wild. My grandma had uterine cancer of some type when she gave birth to my mother by emergency c section (she went into labor prematurely and since my mom was a tiny baby they decided on the c section for her safety)... anyway when they opened her up they found the cancer so they just pulled out her uterus while they had her open. My grandma of course was put under for the surgery and learned she had a baby daughter instead of a boy and that daughter was in a sort of incubator for while. A few months later her doctor thought to ask if she had any discomfort from her hysterectomy. She was floored. That was the first time someone mentioned anything about it to her. Like... holy crap.

[@ProfVRandall]

Thank you for an informative video about Ms. Lacks. Too often "stories about Ms. Lacks do little to tell the woman's story - instead focusing on the HeLa cells. Even hospitals that served black patients would segregate them into black wards,

[@Biographics]

Thank you for the compliment.

[@theuniverseisme432]

Race baiter. Pathetic

[@SC-uq2jf]

@@Biographics Did the Descendants of Henrietta Lacks receive any Royalties $$ on the hundreds of Pharmaceutical Patents on drugs and VACCINES developed using her DNA WITHOUT HER PERMISSION?

[@kathrynw.9754]

@@theuniverseisme432 Can't stand the truth?

[@LadyWarrior4JC]

@@Biographics How were you able to Verify that Henrietta did not give consent for her tissue to be donated?

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

Thanks Simon. If anyone wants more on this amazing story read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, By Rebecca Skloot. It's heartbreaking and uplifting.

[@420greatestqueen]

Great read

[@sarahelizabethlochery1234]

Thanks for this recommendation. I'm very keen to know more about this remarkable lady. What a superb video, thanks Simon.

[@diyeana]

It is an incredible book. I agree.

[@uwcb1]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jerseystotler3615]

What a beautiful woman and brought healing to millions may God bless her soul in eternity

[@AStri-zg5xc]

She was and is the single most important human ever In the history of medicine....and mankind.

[@lisangelblack9070]

@Ru22eLL well, you're..... horrible. Has there been other immortal cells discovered?

[@englisht6549]

Rubbish.

[@michelewashington2119]

@Ru22eLL She healed, you hate. 👎🏽

[@lisangelblack9070]

@Ru22eLL still a horrible person. If Mrs. Lacks and her cells didnt exist, at that time, then the scientists wouldnt have 'discovered' much, would they. I'll have to research about other immortal cells.

[@dandagenais7913]

Just read on AP, her portrait is being added to the Smithsonian Institute.

[@01mmball]

I have heard of HeLa cells but never really knew what they were until this video. Just makes me more curious about her and her unique cells.

[@GreatMutaFan76]

I was born on October 4th and haven't celebrated my birthday in decades. From now on I'll light a candle for Henrietta on that day to say thanks.

[@katiekat4457]

I find that everyone’s lives are so fascinating. Especially when they are from a different time. What a wonderful woman.

[@hazevthewolf178]

Wow! Fantastic video. Every bit of it was fascinating, but I was especially touched by Henrietta's connection to Jonas Salk. I'm an early boomer and well remember when Salk's vaccine became available. I well understand the ethical considerations, but on the other hand, I think that if, somehow, Henrietta could know that she, in some sense, saved millions of lives, she might be pleased by that knowledge. Her last words may imply that. If I may, perhaps you could do a biography of Jonas Salk. All of our lives are part of a complex web of interconnected lives.

[@lisawyatt3278]

Thank you for bringing to the general public a very informative biography on such an important and generous woman. In her life and death she gave so much. I started to learn about HeLa while studying Biomedical Science at university and couldn’t learn enough about what they were and where they came from. This case also helped bring to life the first ‘Informed medical consent’. A large milestone for all. HeLa has helped the lives of everyone of us watching this documentary yet she goes mostly unknown. Thank you for spreading the word of an incredible woman.

[@iliyano567]

The family needs to be paid asap!!! A human rights lawyer needs to take this case to supreme court.

[@mysticindigo]

I’m really saddened that her daughter died alone not knowing what happened to her mother. There are a lot of mixed feelings with this story. Thank you for telling it. I wish peace for that whole family.

[@eorzeanECM]

Wow...I work in the medical field and the "HeLa cell" is a term that is intermittently used in our medical linguistics. I never questioned the origin of HeLa cells nor do I remember it being taught in detail, beyond the scientific ( my field was clinical as opposed to research or laboratory). Although how the cells were obtained was unethical (today), I hope the Henrietta Lack's legacy may help ease the pain it caused to her family. Great video. I rarely post but this one deserves kudos. Thank you

[@DoveVzn]

Same! I can’t believe I didn’t know this when we were learning about hela cells. I am shocked, disappointed, and just amazed all in one

[@Havoc_Unlimited]

Brilliant and very respectful to Henrietta and her family

[@harrietharlow9929]

I know that it was a different time but how awful to just take her cells without obtaining her or her husband's consent. I just realized that I have benefited from her cells. I've never had cancer but after I was adopted, I was vaccinated against polio. Because work on a polio vaccine was done using the HeLa cell line, polio has become become much less of a scourge than it was before the polio vaccine became available. My parents remembered the great polio epidemics and took care to get me vaccinated. Everyone who is protected from contracting polio owes Mrs Lacks a debt of gratitude.

[@AlphaGator9]

For some reason i felt some satisfaction knowing that bigots world wide have benefited from the amazing cells from an black woman (not said with any intention of slander or to be derogatory). I am glad to hear of such a strong woman, helping all of humanity, even if she did not know it in her life time.

[@DivoGo]

Redleg Gunner when I read the story of Henrietta Lacks I thought the same thing!✌🏾👍🏾🌈

[@lovelydiva06]

Although they deserved it and if it was up to me they wouldn’t have benefited from it

[@ZoeAlleyne]

Thank you for talking about Henrietta. I learned about her in research ethics classes and it's always very welcome to see people talking about her. She was a hell of a woman and we all owe much to her.

[@harrisonjr98]

One of the most interesting episodes yet simon! Fascinating story about the life of Henrietta, and a real eye-opener for many people like myself who had heard of HeLa before but not the incredible story behind it!

[@KombatW0mbat]

Her last words weren’t words of pain but of those of a parent. She just wanted her family to take care of her children whom she loved likely more than life itself

[@davidseeds6249]

Thank you for making this Video and I think The Lacks have a case against the hospital and who ever uses her cells in the fight against anything. We owe Henrietta a great deal of gratitude.

[@kashataylor6430]

They need to compensate her family especially since Mrs. HENRIETTA was about family. She save lives beyond their repair. 🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️🙇🏿‍♀️

[@summerbrooks9922]

@shahla1123 It is legal to marry a close cousin in some states in America. Everybody on Earth is a cousin to everyone else. In Africa, first cousin marriage is considered an honor. I knew the uncle of the Emir of Kano, who married his female first cousin. I loved both of them. Alhaji Bukar.

[@dlcalbaugh]

Thank you for another amazing female biographic. This was a subject I had never heard of before and Henrietta Lacks seems to have been a wonderful woman. Her death was a very sad one. I am glad I have gotten to know more about her and the HeLa cell research. Your team does an excellent job of researching these topics and people and you are a wonderful presenter, Simon.

[@feralbluee]

put beautifully - i agree on all counts :}

[@ladyladychickchick9133]

Experimentation without consent.... and it's still being done today.

[@jbjb2217]

Prisoners have no rights !!

[@ladyladychickchick9133]

@Ru22eLL In the US. Plan B is the direct result of administering Amoxicillin to pregnant women, it causes miscarriage. Doctors and dentists did it in the 90's. Nazis got nothing on the good ol' USA.

[@jamiechristie5]

Much worse is taking place today. Worldwide, US included. The public will soon find out the monstrosities that have been going on. The crimes against humanity are extensive.

[@ladyladychickchick9133]

@@jamiechristie5 And we need to talk about the specific cases. I can't help the world, all I can do is warn other women in my life about medical/dental staff, don't trust what they say. Never take "the white man's medicine" especially when pregnant. They have laws protecting them. No protection for the unborn child or the mother.

[@codename495]

LadyLadyChickChick You are so wrong it’s funny. Amoxicillin not only doesn’t cause miscarriage, it wasn’t discovered until well after the end of WW2. Plan B is a higher dose of the exact same hormones used in birth control pills and serves to prevent ovulation and thin the uterine lining so a pregnancy cannot occur.

[@nyneeveanya8861]

Looked up some of the HeLa research done. Just in my extended family there are many who have benefited because of this research. I doubt there are many families who have not benefitted from this woman. I want to extend a thank you to her family and hope they have a blessed life.

[@matttucker3]

Damn Simon.... first I thought Oscar Wilde? Can’t get better than that then bruce lee?!?! Daaaaammmmnnnn man you goin all out bro hellz yea now this lady!?!? This might be the most inspiring one yet keep up the amazing work bro

[@matttucker3]

😆😆😆 even got a like form you mad ma damn week

[@darquequeen2323]

I read an article a while back about this lady, but they didn’t go as deep about who she was when alive. Thank you for making this video. 👍🏽

[@tyrone42ful]

To every racist Trump supporting person who says black people do not contribute to society... Their you go.

[@lizdyson3627]

This story is tragic. As a disabled person who grew up in care I can almost relate although I am White and british. My mother died of pancreatic cancer 5 years ago. My heart goes out to this family.

[@krisrhood2127]

Nothing about us without us. That said, thank you Henrietta

[@ZoeAlleyne]

And thank you, for making videos about amazing women in history. their stories are just as important but rarely as known.

[@ErikBramsen]

Amazing? She was completely unremarkable, except for her cancer cells.

[@ZoeAlleyne]

Felix Krull A woman who endures what she did, who worked as hard as she did, who cared as much as she did for others is not unremarkable and you are a sad, pathetic person if you think otherwise. grow up.

[@ErikBramsen]

So she actually worked? I guess that's remarkable for a black person, but in the greater scheme of things it's totally normal.

[@ZoeAlleyne]

Felix Krull And dealt with a lot of pain and turmoil. She was a remarkable human who endured a lot of suffering and cared for others during this. these accomplishments could never have been done without her and she's important. Honestly? Just go away.

[@ErikBramsen]

She cared so much she sent her daughter to a mental institution, and painfully dying of cancer is hardly a unique accomplishment.

[@CEOdawg]

THANK YOU, SIMON!! I had heard of the name but never really knew much about her. You are a great biographer.

[@EB-wl9st]

God love her, she was a beautiful lady, may she rest in peace. Thank you for everything. ...

[@kristenungstad3252]

Hats off to her. If there is an afterlife, may hers be wonderful and may she know how many lives she has saved

[@spacewitchvulcan]

Henrietta Lacks. A gift to the world. I wonder what kind of world we would have been living in without her?....

[@heidichryst4771]

Happy 100th Birthday Henrietta Greatful American Public

[@deannamccrimmon7805]

Heidi Chryst she turns 100 this year in August 1

[@JackieMReacts]

i think she would be pissed at how unethical the whole deal was, but happy she unintentionally helped others with her cells

[@B3FMandCProductions]

Fun fact: Henrietta's hometown of Roanoke recently announced plans to build a statue of her in Downtown. Good to see the recognition, even if it is coming far too late

[@bigmflan7871]

I had no idea who she was, but thanks to this I now know something amazing. Thank you

[@notamusedbutamused1471]

It appears even after her death she has remained as she lived being a kind, caring and compassionate woman who is still giving to others.

[@christinasmith8385]

Thank you for this amazing story. I feel so bad for her to be in such pain and nothing could be done.

[@jeffcamp481]

She so deserves to be remembered for what she has and is doing for humanity! I am so glad I seen this video!

[@jalapenohiway]

Amazing content as usual my good sir! & I'm really feeling that cheesy 1990's "Mortal Kombat-ish"/Fighting video game type of music playing with every chapter title lol

[@undeadOtter]

amazing biography. keep them coming I love learning about these people

[@cassandrastepney3458]

I live in Baltimore County, Maryland. I've had the pleasure of visiting her home in Turner's Station. I love Mrs. Lacks. She has saved so many lives and continues to do so everyday. We owe her and her family so much.

[@spamletspamley672]

So many of Simon's stories end up with me in tears. He must be doing something right.

[@aryiastark4698]

Omg this was amazing thank you.

[@fishercat503]

I remember a coworker telling me about doing cell cultures in college. He said HeLa cells were aggressive contaminators of other cell lines. Even in labs that never worked with HeLa they would find it in their cultures. I also remember reading an article in the late 80s saying they came from a patient named Helen Lange.They were still denying her families claims at that time.

[@benwillis2064]

Loved this video. Thank you for the time and effort you have put in the making of this wonderful story. And to the Lacks family thank you for Henrietta and her wonderful contribution to all of mankind.

[@meldacano1525]

What an amazing life and story. Thankful for her life and how she helped many. Rest in Peace Dear Henrietta Lacks.

[@luuorallemn9921]

What a touching piece! Thank you for this episode. 😊 Amazingly heartfelt.

[@petrameyer1121]

One of your best Simon, ty.

[@Baronesssa]

As a cancer survivor all I can say is thanks to this woman and the research her cells made possible, I'm alive today. Thanks, Henrietta

[@caveymoley]

Fantastic. Overwhelming levels of mixed emotions. Thank you soo much for sharing x

[@sonnythirteen]

Thank you for this one

[@hotdrippyglass]

Simply just another excellent video. Good Work. Give the team my compliments.

[@burpreynolds3250]

That poor woman. It's heart breaking what some people endure. Thanks for the video. Well done.

[@thefrecklepuny]

A very fascinating and heartfelt story. It's a story which certainly needs a wider audience. Well done for doing your bit to educate the world about this sadly forgotten woman and importance slice of medical history.

[@Dsdcain]

You could do a video about Jonas Salk and how he didn't patent the polio vaccine. As wrong as it seems now using cells or tissue samples of poor people was very common around the world. Drugs were tested on psychiatric patients without their consent and often without their knowledge into the early 70s, I think. As usual another great presentation by Simon and crew.

[@lordgarion514]

Your first claim is BS. They didn't get anyone's permission for anything. It wasn't a poor person thing. It was a people thing. It was just a different time and things were done differently.

[@Harleywayne]

I’m so confused. What is your purpose for starting your comment stating “you can do a video about jonas salk and how he didn’t....”? They chose to do this episode on Henrietta Lacks and what her life and irreplaceable DNA offered to ALL of humanity. Your assertion that somehow now it seems wrong to steal not “use” as you suggest, someone’s DNA because they were poor is absurd. Black people have ALWAYS believed it to be “wrong”, the treatment and inhuman practices done unto them without their consent so to say it’s only an issue now is your privilege talking. Instead of trying to distract from the amazing woman that Henrietta Lacks was, why don’t you educate yourself and show some appreciation for the woman who is responsible for you to be living the life you do today. Do better.

[@Maraaha55]

@@Harleywayne I am confused by your comment - did you feel that Dsdcain was implying somehow that Henrietta Lack's story was less important than that of Jonas Salk? I felt that his comment was simply an a suggestion for another bio, since Salk's refusal to patent the polio vaccine remains a remarkable choice, even then. Today it would probably be an impossible choice. An individual scientist has, I expect, little or no say in what happens with the results of their research. The knowledge can be killed by the companies owning the labs, if it suits the purposes of the medical industry to do so.

[@FurnitureFan]

@@lordgarion514 Rubbish. In my country they tested medical treatments on children in orphanages. Children who had no one to speak out for them. No one who could legally lodge an objection. Dentists practiced extractions on them. Primarily they were poor and if they were born outside of marriage, they had no guardian to stand up for their right to humane treatment. Prior to that, anatomy was for a long time illegal. Surgeons could only study the bodies of executed criminals. Because they had no human rights either, and you bet their families didn't know. It's about a lack of respect. Just because other people happened to have more money or "social rank", they mistreated other human beings.

[@lordgarion514]

@@FurnitureFan No one said they didn't idiot. No one even said they didn't do it more on poor people. Yes they have experimented and tested on poor people. That doesn't mean they didn't do the same.with middle class and even the wealthy, which they most certainly have. Hell, our military has tested entire cities all at once. Big cities with plenty of rich people. Go away dipshit.

[@indra8188]

Almost at 100k, great vid

[@mattsilipini7203]

Most amazing bio ever! And I've watched most but missed this one. Just amazing!

[@vickiecook7464]

I had no idea! Thank you Simon and God bless you Henrietta!

[@mulder6765]

Thank you Henrietta and thank you Simon for tell us about her

[@abrahkadabra9501]

Henrietta Lacks maybe a good example of what happens when the immune system is allowed to adapt to stressful conditions. In Africa there are children still alive who were born from AIDS infected mothers. Their immune system simply adapted to the AIDS virus while still in the womb. Children raised on farms and exposed to dirty environments with animal viruses develop strong immune systems. Another example are rats who thrive in filthy conditions. Scientists found that rats have a high concentration of Linolenic Acid in their blood which fights off infection. Linolenic Acid is now a well known immune system booster found in some plants like black currants. I don't recommend you go roll around in a garbage dump to improve your immune system but be aware living in a super clean antiseptic world closed off from nature is not necessarily helpful.

[@nicholaslewis8594]

🤦‍♂️

[@nancypelosi3328]

This comment….. didn’t age well

[@seriouslyrelaxingvideos6358]

Your channel is soooo amazing! What a story! I’m so grateful she lived... so sad to hear how she passed. I’m super thankful for her short life on Earth... she changed the world!

[@OblongPolkaDots]

Simon, without failure, you deliver information incredibly tastefully and with great sensitivity. Thank you. ❤