Donate

Tedros Ghebreyesus

Descendants of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells, known as HeLa cells, have been used in medical research without her permission, say a prayer with attorneys outside the federal courthouse in Baltimore

Henrietta Lacks’ biographer: ‘So much of science started with her cells’

Health & Medicine

Rebecca Skloot, author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” spoke to The World’s host Marco Werman about her legacy on the 70th anniversary of her death.

In this Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, file photo, a woman waits outside the Migowi Health Clinic to be injected with the world's first vaccine against malaria in a pilot program, in Migowi, Malawi. 

First WHO-backed malaria vaccine is a ‘dream for the community,’ health expert says

Medicine
A row of handguns are shown with the handle facing outward and a hand holding on to one of the weapons.

Mexico sues US-based gunmakers over arms trafficking and gun violence

Top of The World
President Biden speaks at a podium while VP Harris stands to his right to listen

Amid growing pressure, Biden announces plans to distribute more COVID-19 vaccines worldwide

COVID-19
The latex-covered hands of a medical professional are shown drawing a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

US backs waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines

Top of The World
Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!

We respect your time, attention and privacy

This is a news website, not a click casino. We do NOT employ deceptive behaviors, display annoying ads or use third party cookies and trackers to monetize your visit or help advertisers track you across the internet.

Simply, we ask that you would consider a donation to support the journalism we produce every weekday. Thank you.

This is The World

The World is a public radio program and podcast that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

Follow The World

Subscribe to The World’s Latest Edition podcast for free using your favorite podcast player: