Bill > HR3498

This bill proposes to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks in recognition of her significant contributions to medical science through her unique cell line, known as HeLa Cells. The bill provides extensive background on Lacks, an African-American woman born in 1920 who, while being treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951, had tumor cells taken without her consent. These cells, which uniquely doubled every 20-24 hours (unlike other human cells), became the first immortal human cell line and have been instrumental in numerous scientific breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, and research on HIV/AIDS, radiation effects, and gene mapping. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create a gold medal honoring Lacks, which will be presented by Congressional leadership and ultimately displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs. By highlighting Lacks' unintentional but profound contribution to medical science and recognizing the ethical questions surrounding her case, the bill acknowledges her role in advancing medical research and patient rights, while also serving as a testament to her unrecognized legacy in scientific progress.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3498/all-info