Episode 7 - Immortal (Part I)
In 1951, doctors discovered HeLa cells and science was forever changed. In a matter of years, HeLa cells would be used to test the polio vaccine, exposed to nuclear explosions, and even sent to space. But the most incredible thing about HeLa cells is that they all came from the same woman.
In this two-part episode, Victoria discusses the science of HeLa cells (part I) and the ethical and legal implications still felt today (part II).
Also discussed: a recent update of the Women’s Health Initiative study confirms the safety of hormone replacement therapy for treating menopause symptoms in women under 60.
Special thanks to Jonathan Skourletos for the audio production support.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy the following:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010) - Incredible book detailing the story of Henrietta Lacks, her cells, her family, and the broader context of Black Americans’ complicated history with medical institutions.
A Conspiracy of Cells: One Woman's Immortal Legacy and the Medical Scandal It Caused (1985) - Thorough account of how HeLa cells came to contaminate countless other cell lines around the world, and the failures and cover-ups that concealed the problem for decades.
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