Lack's Legacy
Revolutionized not only the medical field, but also the legal field, leading to the creation of 3 major legal precedents and acts and countless multibillion-dollar medical treatments.
Henrietta Lacks!!!
Henrietta Lacks’ cells helped develop which cancer treatment breakthrough?
Chemotherapy. Unlike Noether, who just wrote some cool math theories no one uses day-to-day.
Emmy Noether made a huge impact in physics, but how relevant is her work to the average person?
Not much, unless you’re a physicist or working in theoretical math.
Henrietta Lacks’ cells were the foundation for over 70,000 scientific studies. How many studies would Noether’s theorems have supported in comparison?
Uh, not 70,000.
Henrietta Lacks' immortal HeLa cells were essential in research for which disease?
HIV/AIDs, Polio, and over 60 other disease I don't have the time to list. Noether’s theorems didn’t even help anyone with a common cold.
Which legacy has had a more direct, lasting impact on society: Noether’s theoretical math or Lacks’ contribution to medicine?
Henrietta Lacks’ cells, which changed lives regardless of class, race, status etc. , while Noether’s work mainly impacted theoretical physics and mathematics, for those who were privileged enough to care about education.
Henrietta Lacks’ cells are still being used today in labs around the world. What’s still used from Noether’s work every day?
Abstract algebra—only if you’re doing advanced physics homework
Lacks’ contribution changed not only medicine but also led to the establishment of laws protecting patient rights. Which law did her case help inspire?
Informed consent. Noether’s only contribution to law was making people reconsider abstract concepts... while Lacks changed healthcare forever.
Who has had a more immediate, real-world impact: Emmy Noether’s abstract algebra or Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells?
Henrietta Lacks, without a doubt. Her cells contributed to cancer research, vaccines, and even IVF.