Bill Overview
Title: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill awards posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Henrietta Lacks in recognition of her immortal cells which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients' rights.
Sponsors: Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Target Audience
Population: People aware of or impacted by the contributions of HeLa cells in scientific research and healthcare advancements
Estimated Size: 250000000
- The bill is symbolic, honoring the contributions of Henrietta Lacks.
- Henrietta Lacks' cells, known as HeLa cells, have been used in numerous scientific research efforts globally.
- The recognition could have a broader cultural and educational impact in terms of raising awareness about ethical considerations in medical research.
- It may indirectly impact individuals involved in scientific research, healthcare, and those interested in bioethics.
Reasoning
- The policy is symbolic and its implications are primarily cultural and educational rather than direct material benefits. This limits the immediate impact on personal wellbeing scores.
- Potential indirect benefits through increased awareness of ethical medical practices could foster a sense of trust or pride, possibly improving wellbeing slightly over time.
- The budgetary allocation is relatively small, indicating support for awareness campaigns or educational programs. This suggests the impacts are more diffuse and indirectly experienced across a broad population.
- Most people, unless directly involved in research or bioethics education, might not see immediate changes in their day-to-day lives.
Simulated Interviews
Biotech Researcher (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's fantastic that Henrietta Lacks is being honored. Her contributions are monumental.
- This could lead to more awareness about bioethics in all scientific fields.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing Henrietta Lacks can spearhead discussions about research ethics.
- This is more of a cultural shift than a policy shift, but very important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
High School History Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make the topic more engaging for my students, knowing there's real historical significance tied to it.
- I'm eager to see how schools incorporate this into curricula.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's about time Henrietta Lacks got the recognition she deserves.
- It could help in addressing some historical injustices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Biology Professor (Durham, NC)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s gratifying to see Henrietta Lacks honored on a national level.
- This may not change much in the day-to-day, but it could enhance how students engage with bioethical issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Bioethics Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This sends a strong message about the importance of ethics in science.
- As someone in the field of bioethics, this is a big deal for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The recognition is overdue, but I don’t see this changing much in my line of work.
- It's important for acknowledgment but doesn't have much tangible impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Geneticist (Boston, MA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Henrietta Lacks' contribution is pivotal, and her story is a critical lesson in ethics.
- While it's a recognition of past wrongs, it might spark better practices in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Nurse (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step forward in recognizing historical contributions and wrongdoings.
- It might inspire more community discussions about medical ethics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Medical Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Highlighting Henrietta Lacks in this way is crucial in understanding the importance of ethics in medicine.
- This kind of recognition could inspire more future doctors to prioritize ethical practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $30000, High: $70000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The Congressional Gold Medal Act is largely ceremonial and symbolic, recognizing Henrietta Lacks' contributions to science and ethics.
- Financial impacts are very minimal and primarily related to the cost of producing a medal.