Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

# Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act (HR 3498) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cancer cells became one of the most important tools in medical research history. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. If passed, it would recognize Lacks' extraordinary contribution to medicine and science, even though she never consented to her cells being used for research. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions:** The bill honors Henrietta Lacks' legacy and acknowledges the historical injustice she experienced. In 1951, doctors took cells from Lacks without her knowledge or permission.

These cells—known as "HeLa cells"—have been used in countless medical breakthroughs, including vaccines, cancer research, and other treatments that have saved millions of lives. The award would validate her contribution and raise awareness about the ethical issues surrounding her case and medical research practices involving Black Americans and other vulnerable populations. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD).