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: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Target Audience
Population: Researchers and healthcare professionals aware of and using HeLa cells
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill proposes awarding a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks, which primarily serves as a symbolic gesture recognizing her contributions.
- Henrietta Lacks, through her 'immortal cells', has had a profound impact on global health and biomedical research.
- Her cells have played a crucial role in numerous medical breakthroughs, impacting researchers and healthcare professionals worldwide.
- The bill is symbolic and does not have a direct material impact on individuals' lives like other legislative acts that provide services or resources.
Reasoning
- The awarded Congressional Gold Medal is highly symbolic, aimed at acknowledging Henrietta Lacks' invaluable contribution to medical science through her HeLa cells.
- Since the policy has no financial support or direct services provision, its influence is more sentimental and mostly affects those personally invested in biomedical sciences.
- The majority of the U.S. population will not experience a direct change in their quality of life due to this policy.
- The symbolic recognition might affect the morale and perceived validation among researchers and healthcare workers familiar with the HeLa cell line.
Simulated Interviews
Biomedical Researcher (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time Henrietta Lacks receives a formal recognition.
- This policy doesn't change our funding or research projects directly, but it's meaningful acknowledgment.
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 |
Medical Ethicist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The recognition is important for ethical discourse.
- It doesn't alter policies in medical ethics, but elevates awareness.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Public Health Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a vital step towards acknowledging past oversights.
- This affects the narrative in education and raises awareness.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Pathologist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate this recognition of an unsung hero.
- In retirement, it doesn't impact me much beyond personal satisfaction.
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 |
Oncologist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This medal is a significant gesture for historical acknowledgment.
- It doesn't change clinical practice or patient care outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Bioethics Professor (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is long overdue, highlighting critical discussions.
- Doesn't alter the scholarly or educational work directly.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Geneticist (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a meaningful acknowledgment.
- Doesn't change the logistics or ethics in current practice.
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 |
Science Writer (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good talking point for public engagement.
- No change in my daily work or life from this award.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Biotech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a symbolic win but doesn't change business operations.
- Important for historical acknowledgment in biotech field.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Medical Historian (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This formal acknowledgment is enriching for historical narratives.
- No direct impact on my work but adds depth to historical context.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $50000)
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 medal is a symbolic gesture and not meant to allocate financial resources significantly.
- Any associated costs are primarily administrative and production-related, without ongoing financial implications.