If you're thinking of submitting your DNA to research your ancestry, this film is for you.
In 1951 Henritta Lacks an African-American woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer four and a half months after the birth of her fifth and last child at John Hopkins hosptial in Baltimore, Maryland. Complaining of a "knot" in her stomach/womb, she returns to John Hopkins the only hosptial that would accept African-Americans in search of a diagnosis. Without her consent, cells of a cancerous tumor and healthly cells are taken, which were a common practice at the time. Researcher George Gey discovers Henritta's healthy cells under specific conditions will reproduce indefinitely. These cells become known as the HeLa line and instrumental in cancer research. It is only when a batch becomes contaminated in the 70s and the Lack's family is contacted for additional blood samples that the family begins to question the interest in their family. Henritta's daughter, Renee Elise Goldsberry (Oprah Winfrey) begins the search of who her mother was.
The film raises moral and ethical questions within the medical world and continues to do so. No one will see this film and not have an opinion so be sure to save time for the after movie discussion. Not for young viewers due to mature topic.
In 1951 Henritta Lacks an African-American woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer four and a half months after the birth of her fifth and last child at John Hopkins hosptial in Baltimore, Maryland. Complaining of a "knot" in her stomach/womb, she returns to John Hopkins the only hosptial that would accept African-Americans in search of a diagnosis. Without her consent, cells of a cancerous tumor and healthly cells are taken, which were a common practice at the time. Researcher George Gey discovers Henritta's healthy cells under specific conditions will reproduce indefinitely. These cells become known as the HeLa line and instrumental in cancer research. It is only when a batch becomes contaminated in the 70s and the Lack's family is contacted for additional blood samples that the family begins to question the interest in their family. Henritta's daughter, Renee Elise Goldsberry (Oprah Winfrey) begins the search of who her mother was.
The film raises moral and ethical questions within the medical world and continues to do so. No one will see this film and not have an opinion so be sure to save time for the after movie discussion. Not for young viewers due to mature topic.