[patrickjd]

I only skimmed the article but it seems like the idea that Lacks was a "Scientific Hero" is something the author implies was implied by others and then goes on to argue that it isn't the case. This strikes me as disingenuous, a way of trying to rally against sympathy for her case by addressing a claim made up by the author.

[NavinF]

He gave many examples of people treating her as a her as a hero. Eg:

> United States Rep. Kwesi Mfume (D-Md) filed legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks for her distinguished contributions to science. The award is one of the most prestigious civilian honors given by the United States government

[ZeroGravitas]

They gave the medal to everyone who died in 9/11, and while I think there was probably several acts of heroism involved on the day, the aim there seems to be recognizing victims more than heros.

But the actual criteria for the medal is nothing to do with heroism:

> made a major and long-standing impact on American history and culture.

Which I think is a bar she (and 9/11 victims) clears easily.