HeLa cells are termed "immortal" in that they can divide an unlimited number of times in a laboratory cell culture plate as long as fundamental cell survival conditions are met (i.e. being maintained and sustained in a suitable environment). There are many strains of HeLa cells as they continue to evolve by being grown in cell cultures, but all HeLa cells are descended from the same tumor cells removed from Mrs. Lacks. It has been estimated that the total number of HeLa cells that have been propagated in cell culture far exceeds the total number of cells that were in Henrietta Lacks' body.
HeLa cells and Freedman v. D.C. Department of Human Rights are the closest things to immortality on God's green earth! Henrietta Lacks died in 1951 but her cells will live on forever, or so it seems.
1 comment:
I wonder if Henrietta Lacks was Catholic. Did she attend "Our Blessed Lady of Perpetual Jurisdiction?" -- One wonders! One wonders, indeed!!
Post a Comment