GeneBites

Stories bring people together, help learners see deeper meaning, and provide much needed context to learning. Here we examine the most famous cells in history and how their existence benefits society. It is important, however, to also see how this story has an impact on social justice, and is a call for science and society to be better.

Let’s review. In the last few days in class, we have been learning about the processes of mitosis and meiosis. These are the processes by which cells divide in the body. In general, we understand mitosis to involve a cell doubling its contents, including DNA, and splitting in half to create two cells. This is important in growth and development as well as various repair mechanisms in the body.  Meiosis is a similar process, occurring only in sperm and egg cells, resulting in cells with half the DNA of a normal cell. Yesterday we created a Venn Diagram (example) to ensure that we understood the connections between the two processes.  (In previous writing, I have discussed a lesson looking at mitosis and its finer points.) 

The next step in our instruction likely would involve talking about applications of the cell cycle. Oftentimes, teachers would emphasize the importance of the cell cycle by discussing what happens when the processes fall apart, using oncology (the study of cancer) to contextualize this. If we dive a little deeper, however, we can see how one particular case of a faulty cell cycle led to a remarkable scientific breakthrough that has helped millions of people around the world. If we look even closer, this example also presents an opportunity to discuss important ethical questions in science. We can illustrate key concepts in cell biology, but also highlight the human and societal side of scientific discovery, a lesson I believe is just as important for students to understand. Anyone teaching this concept at any level can take the opportunity to discuss 

Let me tell you a story…

Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman born in 1920 in rural Virginia. In 1951, at age 31, she sought treatment for an aggressive form of cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, one of the few hospitals that treated Black patients at the time. During her treatment, doctors removed a small sample of her cancer cells without her knowledge or consent—a common but unethical practice at the time, especially among marginalized patients.

Remarkably, Henrietta’s cancer cells, later named “HeLa” cells (from the first two letters of her first and last names), became the first human cells to survive and multiply indefinitely in laboratory conditions. These “immortal” cells revolutionized medical research, leading to critical breakthroughs such as the development of the polio vaccine, advancements in cancer and HIV/AIDS research, and countless discoveries in genetics, virology, and drug development. These cells, and their derivatives, are still in use in research today.  

There is an obvious benefit to medicine and to society through the discovery and use of these cells… but what else does this story tell us?

I invite you to consider the following:

Marginalized groups within North America experience lower vaccination rates than the rest of the population. Structural racism leading to institutional mistrust is the greatest influence on this hesitancy. When considering our story above, it’s important to note that for many years neither Henrietta nor her family knew her cells were being used or that they had contributed to billions of dollars’ worth of research and medical progress. Meanwhile, the Lacks family struggled financially and often went without access to quality healthcare themselves. The story, brought to public attention by journalist Rebecca Skloot in her 2010 book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, highlighted major issues of medical ethics, lack of informed consent, and racial injustice in American medicine.

This is more than just a story – it remains deeply relevant to contemporary issues in healthcare access and trust. Many marginalized groups today carry a justified distrust of the medical system, rooted in lived experience and stories such as this. This wariness can result in delayed care, refusal of treatments, or avoidance of medical research participation, further exacerbating health disparities.

Moreover, access to quality healthcare is still shaped by the legacies of segregation, discrimination, and economic inequality. Neighborhoods with large populations of marginalized groups often lack adequate hospitals and clinics, face higher rates of chronic illness, and have fewer resources for preventive care. Henrietta’s family, despite their unique connection to science, struggled to access even basic healthcare; an unfortunate reality that echoes in many communities today.

As we reflect on the importance of Henrietta Lacks’ story, we are reminded that progress in medicine and genetics must go hand in hand with progress in justice. Her life and legacy challenge us to build a healthcare system that honors consent, respects autonomy, and actively works to dismantle the barriers created by racism.

So why is it important to learn about the cell cycle?  

In previous articles (here and here for two examples) I discuss the importance of the Nature of Science (NoS) in teaching and communication. This involves discussing the “whole of science”, the whole picture. Concepts such as mitosis and meiosis are fundamental to understand in biology, but these ideas also open doors to discussions that can lead to social change. Often science is taught and understood to be facts that help us answer test questions, but there is a deeper side to each of the scientific concepts we learn about. There are people involved, it is a human process, and at times, there is exploitation that can lead to long term social concerns. Science stories are a powerful tool to help those who hear them connect not only with the facts, but with the broader impacts of those facts on society and individuals. Henrietta Lacks’ story teaches us that science does not happen in isolation—it is shaped by history, ethics, and the lived experiences of real people. By understanding the processes of mitosis and meiosis, we gain insight into the building blocks of life; but by examining the stories behind their scientific discoveries, we learn about responsibility, justice, and the ongoing need for equity in medicine. As students and future contributors to society, it is crucial to remember that scientific knowledge is most powerful when it is used thoughtfully and ethically, with compassion for all. In this way, studying the cell cycle becomes not just a lesson in biology, but a call to action for a more just and inclusive world.

Edited By: Ethan Honeycutt and Jameson Blount