“It makes me feel warm inside that young students want to know about Henrietta Lacks and what her cells have contributed to science,” said Sonny Lacks. “To get students interested in things like this is really good.”
Inspired by Lacks, the students have done several projects, such as hosting a cancer awareness day, giving presentations to health classes and doing a lab experiment about the effectiveness of sunscreen against skin cancer, said Rachel Sanders, the biotechnology teacher. The students will present their projects at the Sinclair Tech Prep Showcase on Wednesday.
“The book has really made me aware of the history of science and bioethics, and the effect on the Lacks family,” said Dominique Jones, a senior who will be presenting at the showcase. “...I expected (Sonny Lacks) to be more put off because of what happened, but it was a comfortable atmosphere.”
Lacks answered student questions for an hour.
It took the medical community almost 60 years to acknowledge Henrietta Lacks, he told students.
“Indirectly John Hopkins made a profit, they didn’t sell the cells but they received grants,” Lacks said.
But “we weren’t concerned, we just wanted to know and to give my mother the recognition she deserves,” he said.
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