Since February is Black History Month, I wanted to call attention to some of the lesser known figures in American history whose contributions have helped shape our nation or some aspect of our society.By happy accident I found out about a book being launched this month that addresses some issues concerning the medical and research fields as well as tells a surprising story. More on this in a moment.
First, though, we need to explore the background of HeLa cells and their purpose. HeLa cells are an “immortal” line of cells used in research. They are called immortal due to their ability to divide and grow indefinitely as long as they were kept in culture medium conductive to cell growth.
In 1951 when the original cells were obtained, cancer research was in its infancy and a researcher named Dr.George Gey was having trouble finding suitable cells to work with. All that changed when a doctor a John Hopkins Hospital provided him with a tissue biopsy from a malignant cervical tumor of a rare glandular type that the physician had never seen before.
These cells proved to be faster growing and more prolific than any cell line then or since. HeLa cells have been the mainstay of cancer research as well as providing detailed studies of how cells work. They were also crucial in developing vaccines and treatments for polio, Parkinson’s, HIV and a host of other diseases.
There is a reason they are called HeLa cells; it is in honor of the young black woman from Baltimore, wife and mother of five who unknowingly provided the tissue sample. Her name was Henrietta Lacks and she would die only a few months later at the age of 31 from the very tumor that has indirectly saved the lives of millions.Henrietta came from a little burg in Virginia called Clover that no longer exists. Neither she nor her family were aware of her valuable contribution until 20+ years after her death. For her family the notion that something of Henrietta lived on was a difficult concept and they struggled to understand the complexity of cell propagation and research.
Seems like there might be an ethical issue here, but today as back then, there is no requirement for medical personnel to get permission to use any discarded material from surgery, diagnosis or therapy. The material is deemed to belong to the physician and the medical facility.
Henrietta might have passed through history and disappeared entirely, remembered erroneously throughout the years as either Helen Lane or Helen Larsen; aliases used by the medical community to mask her true identity. But enter science journalist, Rebecca Skloot who became interested in the back story about HeLa cells. Skloot has written a book called “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” that tells the story not only of the amazing HeLa cells but also of Henrietta then and her family’s journey after her death.
Most of us probably owe her or have a loved one who owes Henrietta their life. And now, through this book,Henrietta herself will be as immortal as her cells.
Henrietta is a part of all of us; may her memory live forever.
Fascinating, Rocky. And somewhat spooky -- in a good way (i.e., expanding our minds toward a greater appreciation of life's mysteries). I've never heard of HeLas and I'm glad you've posted it.
ReplyDeleteBut the ethics issues involved in the story are indeed chilling. I will get Skloot's book (and I suspect I'll be pissed while reading it -- but then what else is new...).
An interest twist on Black History Month. Who would have guessed a fascinating medical story embedded inside a commemorative one.
ReplyDeleteAbout ethical issues, from what I understand, 20% of the human genome is now patented … which is hugely controversial. Until now, researchers could not patent anything that occurred in nature. One could not patent, for instance, “iron” or “carbon.” An anti-cancer drug could only be patented if it were a manmade derivative or isomer of a naturally occurring one.
Myriad Genetics (based in Utah) has two human genes under patent that are used in a breast cancer screening tests. Since Myriad owns the patent, other researchers are constrained from conducting research that incorporates those genes … thus impeding further medical breakthroughs.
Monsanto owns several patents in the rice genome. Years ago, one scientist spliced genes into a rice strain that would make keratin, thus preventing blindness in millions of third-world children whose diet consisted mainly of rice. Monsanto blocked distribution of this GM strain alleging patent infringement.
Genomes are yet another battleground where thuggish corporate lawyers and venture capitalists have encroached.
The ethical issues surrounding gene/cell patenting amid total ignorance and absence of any compensation to the donor is something we should put on the table when more pressing issues in this country have been alleviated.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that doctors, companies and other facilities profit from another's pain without compensating that person is so unseemly and immoral, I can't imagine how the practice has continued without protest from the medical community.
But, if you want the ability to do research to find cures and treatments, you play by the rules.
Today, at least one of these money makers now has a name, a face and a history.
Henrietta Lacks.
Thanks for this post, Rocky -- it is indeed a remarkable story, and I had never heard about it.
ReplyDelete