Download HW1HeLaCellsHW2014

Homework #1: HeLa Cells
Step 1: Read and take notes on the following case study about Henrietta Lacks. The information was
gathered from: Keiger, Dale. “Immortal Cells, Enduring Issues.” John Hopkins magazine, June 2010.
Web reference: http://magazine.jhu.edu/2010/06/immortal-cells-enduring-issues/
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, died from cervical cancer. She was 31 years old. As her cancer was
being treated, a doctor at John Hopkins Hospital collected a tissue sample, a collection of
cells, from one of the tumors in Ms. Lacks’ body. Her cells were taken without her knowledge
or consent. At the time, collecting tissue for research without permission was not
uncommon.
Ms. Lacks’ cells were placed in a petri dish with food and nutrients and they grew rapidly.
Her cells would grow and divide, grow and divide. They quickly multiplied. This was
remarkable. For 30 years scientists had been trying to grow “immortal cell lines: human cells
that would reproduce endlessly in test tubes. These human cells could then provide a steady
supply of cells for medical research.” Ms. Lacks’ cells were the first, and for a long time only,
human cells that would grow in the lab.
Henrietta Lacks’ cells were labeled “HeLa”. Author Dale Keiger explains: “Soon after the
cells were placed in culture medium they began to reproduce, doubling within 24 hours. They
have never stopped. They now live by the uncountable trillions in laboratories and the
inventories of biologics companies throughout the world, still robust after 60 years and
perfect for all sorts of research. The HeLa cell line has been the foundation of a remarkable
number of medical advances, including the polio vaccine, the cancer drug tamoxifen,
chemotherapy, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and treatments for influenza, leukemia,
and Parkinson’s disease.”
Since 1951, populations of cells derived from Ms. Lacks’ body have been distributed to labs
throughout the world. These populations, now known as HeLa cells, continue to carry out all
the cellular processes required to grow and reproduce. Today, public and private labs
continue to use HeLa cells for medical research. And there is active debate about the ethics
of using cells that were taken without permission.
You can read more about Henrietta Lacks and her amazing cells in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot. http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/
Step 2: Write out and answer all questions in complete sentences for full credit.
1. The article describes the cell line or cell culture as being “immortal”. Does that mean that
individual cells never die? Explain.
2. Should a population (more than one) of HeLa cells be considered alive? Justify your response
using information covered in the “Characteristics of Living Things” activity.
3.
Could one HeLa cell be considered alive? Justify your response using information covered in the
“Characteristics of Living Things” activity.
4. The HeLa cells must have nutrients in order to survive and multiply. Describe at least two ways
the nutrients are used by the cells.
5.
In terms of traits common to all living things, is there a difference between HeLa cells being
alive, and Henrietta Lacks being alive? Explain.
6. Ms. Lacks’ cells have been important in some of the biggest medical breakthroughs in history.
Do you think it was wrong to take Ms. Lacks’ cells even though they have helped do so much
good? Explain