HeLa cells: How Henrietta Lacks' cells became central to biomedical research

Henrietta Lacks' cervical cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and became the immortal HeLa cell line widely used in biomedical research; the article notes the Lacks family reached settlements with Thermo Fisher (August 2023) and Novartis (February 2026).

Henrietta Lacks' cervical tumor cells were taken during a routine biopsy in 1951 without her consent or knowledge. Those cells, named HeLa after the first letters of her name, proved able to divide indefinitely and were the first widely used human cell line in laboratories. HeLa cells have supported many scientific advances, and the Lacks family has pursued legal action over use of the cells; the article records settlements with Thermo Fisher in August 2023 and with Novartis in February 2026. Key points: - The cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks without documented consent during medical care in 1951, as reported in the article. - HeLa cells are described as "immortal," meaning they continue to divide in laboratory conditions and became a widely used resource for experiments. - The article explains that Lacks' cells were infected with a high-risk HPV type (HPV 18), and viral proteins can interfere with cell proteins (p53 and Rb) that normally limit cell division. - The article notes legal developments: settlements with Thermo Fisher in August 2023 and with Novartis in February 2026. Summary: HeLa cells have been a foundational research tool and are linked to both major scientific findings and long-standing ethical questions about consent and benefit. The Lacks family has reached settlements with companies named in their lawsuits; further legal or procedural steps are undetermined at this time.