Henrietta Lacks and Strawberry DNA Extraction: With Free Lesson Download

When it comes to science, there's nothing quite like hands-on learning. That's why our homeschool cottage recently spent some time delving into the fascinating world of genetics and medical science. Our lesson centered around Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cells have been instrumental in countless medical breakthroughs.

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cancerous cells were used to make significant advancements in medical science. Henrietta's story begins in 1951, when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. During her treatment, doctors took a small sample of her cells without her knowledge or consent. What they discovered was truly remarkable: Henrietta's cells could be kept alive and cultured in a way that no other cells could. This led to the creation of the HeLa cell line, which has been used in everything from cancer research to the development of vaccines.

But Henrietta's story is not without controversy. For years, her family knew nothing about the important role her cells had played in the scientific community. They were shocked to learn that Henrietta's cells were still being used in experiments, and that companies were making millions of dollars by selling them. Today, there is a growing movement to recognize Henrietta Lacks and to honor her contribution to science. After discussing Henrietta's story, we moved on to a fun and interactive activity: strawberry DNA extraction. With just a few simple materials, we were able to extract the DNA from fresh strawberries. This activity helped us understand the basics of genetics and how DNA is structured.

To extract the DNA, we first mashed up the strawberries and mixed them with salt and dish soap. This helped to break down the cell walls and release the DNA. We then added alcohol, which caused the DNA to precipitate out of the mixture. The result was a clump of white, stringy material that was actually DNA!

The story of Henrietta Lacks is a testament to the importance of ethical research practices and the need for diversity in medical studies. It was a powerful lesson for our homeschool group, and we now have a deeper appreciation for the role that individuals like Henrietta Lacks have played in advancing medical science.

Download the Lesson Here