Law Center News
Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, notable scholars and advocates discuss human injustice in inaugural Henrietta Lacks Symposium at Southern University Law Center
Justice begins with respect for humanity. The story of Henrietta Lacks is one that shows the absence of humanity and respect coupled with greed masked as medical intervention. In an effort to bring awareness to this on-going injustice, the Health Equity, Law, and Policy Institute will host its inaugural Henrietta Lacks Symposium scheduled for March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Seeing Women through the Lens of Genetic Justice, Reproductive Justice and Criminal Justice”.
“The timeliness of the newly formed SULC Health, Equity, Law and Policy Institute is that it has been 72 years since Mrs. Henrietta without her consent, resulting in the first immortal cell line and leading to the creation of vaccinations and other scientific breakthroughs that have benefited the medical community and society at-large,” said Deleso A, Alford, Lacks’ cells were taken managing fellow for the Health, Equity, Law, and Policy Institute and Rachel Emanuel Endowed professor. “This symposium will shape the forward flow of human history by focusing on “Her-stories” -the unique and particularized experiences of black women and women of color due respect and dignity.”
The inaugural event will feature three panels consisting of renowned speakers, thought leaders, and academics. In addition, it will provide a venue for a 21st-century demand for justice from legal classrooms, political corners, medical/scientific institutions to the court of law. Speakers include Ben Crump, civil rights attorney, Dr. Edgar Feinberg, cardiothoracic surgeon, LaToyia Porter, social worker and founder of Walk With Me Community Improvement Center; Victor Jones, education special counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Nancy Davis, advocate and founder of The Nancy Davis Foundation, Caprice Roberts, Louisiana State University law professor, and more. The Lacks family will be in attendance during this historic event. Participants will have the opportunity to meet Ron L. Lacks, grandson of Henrietta Lacks, during his on-site book signing.
In national news, Attorney Crump and co-lead counsel Attorney Chris Seeger are currently representing members of the Lacks family in a federal lawsuit against Thermo- Fisher, Massachusetts- based scientific supplier for profiting off biotech products made using cells taken decades earlier, without Henrietta Lacks’ consent or compensation.
The event is free to the public; however, registration is encouraged. Attendees can register at sulc.edu/lackssymposium.
For more information, contact Jasmine D. Hunter, director of external affairs, at jhunter@sulc.edu.
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