Cancer Cell Growth

Chemotherapy Video

HeLa Cells“The Immortal Cell Line”

Henrietta Lacks• One of the most widely used continuous cell lines for virology

is the HeLa cell line, which was derived in 1951 from Henrietta Lacks.

The Cervix

Tissue Culturing• Tissue culture is the growth of tissues or cells separate from

the organism.

• HeLa cells have since been used in many laboratories all over the world to make countless research discoveries.

Finding a Cure for Polio• For example, shortly after Dr. Gey announced the HeLa cell

line, it was used to propagate poliovirus, an event that played an important role in the development of poliovirus vaccines.

• Polio is a contagious viral illness that in its most severe form causes paralysis, difficulty breathing and sometimes death.

The Many uses of HeLa cells

• Help uncover secrets of cancer• Help understand viral infections of cells• Effects of the atom bomb on human cells• Effects of space travel on human cells• Used in research to develop in vitro

fertilization “Test tube babies”• Gene mapping• Cloning

A Question of Ethics

• Was it ethical to use Henrietta Lacks’ cells without her informed consent?

• Should her family be compensated?