Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill proposes to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks. This recognition is for her "immortal cells," known as HeLa cells, which have profoundly contributed to global health, scientific research, and the advancement of patients' rights. The bill acknowledges that these cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and have since been instrumental in numerous medical breakthroughs, including the polio vaccine and treatments for various diseases. HeLa cells have been foundational for biomedical research, leading to several Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and informing modern bioethics policies, particularly regarding informed consent . After its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for it to be displayed at other relevant locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.