Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

# Summary of the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge or consent in 1951 and became crucial to medical research. Her cells—known as "HeLa cells"—have been used to develop vaccines, test drugs, and advance countless medical breakthroughs for decades, yet she and her family received no compensation or recognition during her lifetime. Lacks died in 1951 without knowing the significance of her contribution to science. The bill honors Lacks' legacy and acknowledges the historical injustice she experienced.

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors Congress can bestow, typically awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to American society. If passed, a medal would be created and presented to recognize her profound impact on medicine and public health, as well as to bring attention to the ethical issues surrounding informed consent and the exploitation of African Americans in medical research. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been referred to the appropriate congressional committee for review and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.