HeLa is among the oldest immortal cell lines utilized in numerous scientific research. It originated from a 31-year-old African American cancer patient named Henrietta Lacks. The cells were extracted from her cervical cancer on February 8, 1951, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where Lacks received treatment. Cell biologist George Otto Gey, while working with various cell lines, observed that HeLa cells differed significantly. Unlike other cells, HeLa cells were remarkably prolific and did not perish after a few days. They were obtained from Ms. Lacks' cervical biopsy for clinical testing and research purposes. HeLa cells have been instrumental in over 60,000 published research papers, with many more being published daily. This cell line has proven invaluable in numerous areas of research, including gene mapping, AIDS, viral studies, cancer, cell toxicity studies following radiation exposure, and many others. They were even sent aboard the Sputnik-6 (a Soviet space satellite) to investigate the impacts of zero gravity and space travel on human cells.
Controversies surrounded HeLa, as the cells were taken from Ms. Lacks without her consent, a common practice at the time. Johns Hopkins Hospital was the sole facility in Baltimore where African American patients received free treatment. Often, these patients were unwittingly treated as research subjects. Lack’s case contributed to the establishment of the Common Rule, ensuring that patients are informed if their information is used for research or scientific studies, granting them the right to decide whether their details will be disclosed. In 2021, Lacks' family sued pharmaceutical companies that profited from HeLa cell sales. An undisclosed settlement was reached between the Lacks family and the pharmaceutical company in 2023.
HeLa cells gained widespread fame, inspiring various documentaries, podcasts, books, and even movies. Oprah Winfrey starred in an HBO film released in 2017, inspired by Rebecca Skloot's book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."
References
Batts, Denise Watson (May 10, 2010). "Cancer cells killed Henrietta Lacks – then made her immortal". The Virginian-Pilot. pp. 1, 12–14. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2021. Note: Some sources report her birthday as August 2, 1920, vs. August 1, 1920. Skloot, Rebecca (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York City: Random House. ISBN 978-1-4000-5217-2.
Zielinski, Sarah (January 2, 2010). "Cracking the Code of the Human Genome. Henrietta Lacks' 'Immortal' Cells". Smithsonian. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
Hayflick, Leonard (March 4, 2010). "Myth-busting about first mass-produced human cell line". Nature. 464 (7285): 30.
Brennan, Zachary (October 4, 2021). "Estate of Henrietta Lacks sues Thermo Fisher over the improper sale of her immortal cells". Endpoints.
Interesting and informative. Well researched article. Keep writing more, Treya.
Lovely read, keep up Poipu.
Archita
Hey Treya,
I'm new to your blog and let me tell you It was a great read..!
I had come across HeLa earlier and I just knew a few facts about HeLa cell line - how it propagates faster than any other known cell lines, and how it had various applications in studying conditions like Down's Syndrome and diseases like Polio.
I really liked how you encapsulated everything about HeLa cell line... about it's various applications and controversies surrounding it.
I'd love to read more of your blog!!
Its a brief but very insightful piece of writing! I am sure a lot of effort has been put into this. Did not know about this immortal HeLa cell before! An excellent start Treya. Keep writing more.
Wow Treya! First time reading about HeLa - your writing uncovers the layers of historical and scientific context to her back story. Struck by the image and the symmetry in nature even when cells turn rogue.