The story of Henrietta Lacks: an opportunity to make up for past mistakes

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At the present time, when COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting black people in several countries, the Henrietta Lacks centennial year reminds us of our responsibility to strive for a fairer era of research. The cells of Henrietta Lacks, which were taken without her consent, have been reproduced billions of times for medical purposes. The Henrietta Lacks anniversary urges us to face an issue that is still unsolved, since consent to the collection of patients' data, the methods of their archiving and their possible dissemination remains a complex question that is still largely outstanding. In addition, in this pandemic era, the anniversary constitutes an opportunity to make up for past injustices and discrimination of the healthcare system.

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