Immortal Cells: The Racist Roots of Gynecology

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge.

The medical community has a troubling history of perpetuating harmful myths about Black women's pain tolerance, which has resulted in unethical practices in medical research. Dr. James Sims, one of the pioneers of modern gynecology, conducted inhumane studies on over a dozen Black women, further perpetuating these beliefs. The results of his studies were used to create the vaginal speculum and a procedure for repairing vesicovaginal fistulas. Unfortunately, these harmful beliefs persist today, continuing to harm Black women.

The Tuskegee Syphilis experiment and the story of Henrietta Lacks are other examples of unethical practices in medical history. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and doctors at John Hopkins Hospital discovered that her cells, which could reproduce without alteration, could be used for cancer research. These became the first human cell line, known as HeLa, which is still widely used in medical research today. Unfortunately, the family of Henrietta Lacks continued to live in poverty, while the men and organizations behind these research studies were idolized for generations without regard for the harm they caused.

To this day, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related symptoms, according to the CDC. Social determinants also limit their access to safe and unbiased medical treatment. High-profile cases, such as Serena Williams and Beyoncé, have faced life-threatening complications related to pregnancy, highlighting that the roots of racism run deeper than classism.

To reduce racial disparities in the medical community, we must listen and create a shift in the current dynamic. It is imperative that we continue to advocate for change, especially given that Black women's suffering has fueled breakthroughs in modern gynecology at a great cost.

In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge and understand the history of harmful myths and unethical practices in medical research that have disproportionately affected Black women. We must work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system that treats all patients fairly and justly, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The story of Henrietta Lacks serves as a reminder of the need for continued advocacy and change in the medical community.

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