Henrietta Lacks and her Cancer Cells - Research Paper Example

Top of Form Click on a source to view the original, or click on the magnifying glass to see the source highlighted in the text below Highlight All Unhighlight All 2. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/44031107/Henrietta-Lacks-HeLa-Cells-and-Cell-Culture-Contamination 3. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/04/henrietta-lacks-cancer-cells 4. http://article.wn.com/view/2010/04/04/Henrietta_Lackss_cells_were_priceless_but_her_family_cant_af_v 5. http://mrwhatis.com/johns-hopkins-hospital-henrietta-lack.html 6. http://esciencenews.com/dictionary/Henrietta.Lacks 7. http://www.livingbooksaboutlife.org/books/Partial_Life 8. http://en.wordpress.com/tag/henrietta-lacks/ 9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacks 10. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/31/henrietta-lacks-cancer-research-genome 11. http://www.laguardia.edu/henriettalacks/med_research.html 12. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-232076624.html 13. Another students paper - Institution: University of South Florida Bottom of Form Paper Text Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) Cancer Cell Research The Lives Saved Were Not Her Own Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction 3 Thesis Statement 4 About Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) 4 Experiment, Research and Contribution of HeLa Cells 5 Conclusion 9 Works Cited 10 Introduction Henrietta Lacks was a woman who died in the year 1951 due to cervical cancer and at that time she was of 31 years of age. Samples of her tumor were kept with the intention of conducting further research. Scientists had intended to keep human cells alive for experimentations but the cells would ultimately perish. The human cells of Henrietta Lacks are recognized as HeLa. However, the cells of HeLa were recognized to be immortal as the first reproducing human cell inside every 24 hours. Doctors acquired HeLa cells without her and her family’s consent. Her family members were unaware of the facts that her cells were used for the treatment and other medical related purposes. Moreover, they were unaware of the great contributions made with the assistance of HeLa cells (Central Bucks School District, “Diagnosis and Treatment”; Samuels, “Health-Care Injustice”). In the present day context, it has been observed that almost 470,000 cases in relation to cervical cancer are identified every year. Moreover, around 230,000 women are perceived to die on a global perspective (Ajay, Meena and Bhat, “Human Papillomavirus 18 E6 Inhibits Phosphorylation of P53 Expressed in HeLa Cells”). In this respect, HeLa cells are determined to be of major use in modern science and medicine for the treatment of various kinds of diseases. Furthermore, medicines produced from her cells are of great importance for developing polio vaccines, understanding cancer and drugs for herpes as well as influenza among others. Additionally, HeLa cells are determined to be one of the most important ones for research study with respect to the treatment of cancer which is identified as the greatest dreaded disease. The cells were also observed to be the most flourishing element for the development of medical sciences towards the improvement of enhanced medical drugs and treatment. These treatment and drugs are perceived to be effective for curing tuberculosis and chromosomal disorder among others (Hepworth, “Advocacy for Henrietta Lacks and for Family Medicine”; Mckie, “Henrietta Lackss Cells Were Priceless, But Her Family Can’t Afford a Hospital”). Thesis Statement The paper intends to discuss the history or background of Henrietta Lacks whose cells are identified to the immortal. HeLa cells are used in various researches as well as experiments with the intention of making significant contributions towards medical science which include genetic studies and cloning technologies among others. Moreover, the discussion will also emphasize on the role HeLa cells played for the development of medicines of various diseases such as tuberculosis and polio. About Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) Henrietta Lacks, born in the year 1920 in Roanoke, a small city in Virginia, was the daughter of a poor as well as uneducated tobacco farmer. She belonged to a family of slaves and she was raised by her grandfather. She was married and was the mother of five children. Henrietta Lacks began bleeding excessively post the birth of her last child. After the conduction of physical examination, she came to know that there is something wrong in her cervical area (Skloot, “Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”). The doctors of The Johns Hopkins Hospital on studying recognized that she was suffering from cervical cancer which was at Stage I. She had developed a sort of cervical cancer which is known as Carcinoma. She died in the year 1951 due to her cancer disease. Carcinoma is identified to be rising from the epithelial cells which cover as well as guard the cervix’s surface. Cervical carcinoma is recognized to be of two different sorts that include invasive and non-invasive. Doctors perceived that invasive carcinomas are deadly and on the other hand non-invasive carcinomas are determined not to be fatal. Later on, it was conceived that non-invasive is the early stage of invasive (Manfuso and Desmon, “Web Extra: Honoring the Henrietta Lacks Legacy at Hopkins”; NPR, “Tracing the Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks”). Experiment, Research and Contribution of HeLa Cells The doctors took the sample of HeLa tissue or cells with the objective of conducting further research studies and experimentations. The scientists have conducted research studies for better development of medical science. HeLa cells were determined to be the first immortal cells among human generation. According to the research study, it is observed that HeLa cells possess ‘human papillomavirus’ (HPV). The HPV18 is recognized to be attached with aggressive adenocarcinomas but the HPV vaccine developed from the cells will assist in the prevention of carcinomas tumors (Johnson, “Family Sees Up Close Henrietta Lacks Contribution to Science”; Lucey, Nelson-Rees and Hutchins, “Henrietta Lacks, HeLa Cells, and Cell Culture Contamination”). The doctors had planned to produce trillions of HeLa cells every week with the objective of preventing as well as mitigating polio. Moreover, HeLa cells are recognized to be the first human cells which can be cloned. The cloning technology had been started with the assistance of HeLa cells for its ability to grow or reproduce. The cloning technology will enable in separating stem cell as well as in the fertilization of vitro. HeLa cells have also assisted doctors and scientists towards the study of human genetics. It was wrongly conceived by scientists that there are 48 chromosomes in human cells but with the assistance of her cells scientists were able to ascertain that there are 46 chromosomes. The scientists were capable of determining the number of chromosome in human cells after mixing a chemical named hematoxylin with HeLa cells which clearly showed the chromosome from the cells. Furthermore, the determination of the number of chromosomes in human cells has assisted doctors in ascertaining whether a person is having a surplus or deficit of chromosomes. In this respect, doctors are also able to diagnose diseases which are genetic in nature along with identifying chromosomal disorders (Harris, “Final Twist to Tale of Henrietta Lacks, The Woman Whose Cells Helped the Fight against Cancer”; Kappel, “Henrietta Lacks and Her “Immortal” Cells”). Furthermore, HeLa cells were also uncovered to radiation in order to determine the various consequences of nuclear radiation on the cells of human. HeLa cells were also used as an experiment in centrifuges where a pressure of around 100 times more than gravity was developed with the intention of examining various facts about the cells in conditions relating to spaceflights as well as deep-sea diving (Kappel, “Henrietta Lacks and Her “Immortal” Cells”). HeLa cells have been also used in numerous research areas with the objective of making advancements in various segments which include virology, scientific standards, polio, transport of live cell, cloning technology, medicines for genetic disorder, space biology, salmonella, ‘human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), genetic hybrids, tuberculosis, telom-erase as well as nanotech (Kappel, “Henrietta Lacks and Her “Immortal” Cells”). HeLa cells have been infected with numerous diseases which assisted in the field of virology. It has been observed that the cells have been utilized towards the treatment of polio. The cells have been used for the production of Salk’s vaccine. The live cells are also able to be transported around the world for enhanced research. Scientists merged HeLa cells with the cells of mouse in order to create a hybrid with a cross-species. This experimental procedure in relation to genetic hybrid has enabled to study gene mapping in a more effective manner. HeLa cells have provided the opportunity to make advancements in the study of medical ethics. Scientists have injected cancer cells in patients in order to determine its spread among human cells. A German virologist studied and identified the way through which Henrietta Lacks acquired cancer. Moreover, the virologist determined the reasons for the immortality of HeLa cells. The virologist discovered that a ‘sexually transmitted virus’ known as HPV18 is a cause of cancer. Scientists used the cells in order to apprehend the infectiousness as well as invasiveness of salmonella. It also assisted in identifying the behavior of salmonella within human cells. HeLa cells have been infected with HIV to acquire the information that the HIV not only affects blood cells but also other body parts. Scientists discovered that human cells have telom-erase which is an enzyme. This enzyme helps in rebuilding the telomeres of cells as well as in preserving the cells from dying. The cells were exposed to tuberculosis in order to determine the process in accordance with which this disease affects human cells. The cells were also used to examine nanotechnology by implanting the cells with silica-coated nanoparticles along with iron nanowares. HeLa cells were sent to outer space with the assistance of NASA and discovered that cancer cells cultivate in a faster rate in outer space. HeLa cells have been applied towards the development of numerous sorts of vaccines. Additionally, the cells were exposed in various segments in relation to cosmetics, viruses, radiation, drugs, biological weapons and household chemicals for analyzing its impacts on biological terms. Therefore, it can be comprehended that HeLa cells have been of great importance in the examination of numerous diseases which include HIV, polio and tuberculosis. Moreover, the cells were used to exploit important drugs in relation to Leukemia as well as breast cancer. HeLa cells have been recognized to be of immense prominence for conducting various biological researches till recent day context (Kappel, “Henrietta Lacks and Her “Immortal” Cells”; Pleasant, “Henrietta Lacks”). Cancer is determined to be one of the most dreadful diseases amid humans, which has raised the death rate on a worldwide context. There are numerous conventional as well as newly developed treatment procedures that have been invented which include chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, catalytic therapy and radiotherapy which are utilized for the treatment of cancer. These procedures as well as therapies are observed to be to a certain extent ineffective towards cancer treatment. In this regard, biological researchers have conducted examinations or investigations on various other options of treatment for cancer patients. Researchers have identified that Nigella sativa may be used for the treatment of cancer. In this respect, the extracts from the seed powder of this organic plant has been observed to be effective in killing the HeLa cells. The n-Hexane, methanolic and chloroform extracts which are acquired from the seeds of this plant are recognized to inhibit the growth of HeLa cells. It has been perceived that the right proportion of the above mentioned elements will be effective for the treatment of cancer (Shafi, Munshi, Hasan, Alshatwi, Jyoti and Lei, “Induction of Apoptosis in HeLa Cells by Chloroform Fraction of Seed Extracts of Nigella Sativa”). These are the various ways as well as processes with the assistance of which scientists and researchers have utilized HeLa cells in the experimental studies. The experiments as well as research studies have shown positive outcomes in various fields of medical sciences. The cells were observed to be effective in the development of numerous drugs for effective treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and polio among others. Moreover, the cells proved to be a boon for the genetic studies. HeLa cells were also recognized to be successfully experimented with regard to cloning of cells. Furthermore, the cells are recognized to be effectively contributing towards the development of biological treatment and drugs facilities. Conclusion Henrietta Lacks was a woman who died due to cervical cancer at the age of 31 in the year 1951. The doctors took a sample of her cancer cell with the objective of conducting further research. The cells of Henrietta Lacks are referred to as HeLa cells. HeLa cells were determined to be the first living cells in the medical history. Moreover, the cells were observed to be reproducing in an immense manner. With the increased rate of death due to cancer on a global context, the HeLa cells made an effective contribution towards the development of better medical treatment and drugs facilitates for patients. HeLa cells assisted in performing various tests as well as experiments for drugs in relation to cancer. The cells are of great importance towards the development of medical science with regard to the treatment of various diseases. HeLa cells are utilized in various medical examinations and studies. The cells are used to develop vaccine for the treatment of polio patients. Moreover, the cells were utilized by researchers for genetic study as well as to determine the effect of nuclear radiation on human cells. HeLa cells are recognized to be the first cells used for the purpose of cloning. The cells are identified to be the major elements towards the examination process of various diseases which include polio, tuberculosis and HIV. HeLa cells have been used in a significant manner from the past from her death till the present day context in various medical researches. It has been observed that HeLa cells with the combination of other elements are experimented for the development of appropriate drugs for the treatment of cancer and tuberculosis. Works Cited Ajay, Amrendra K., Avtar S. Meena and Manoj K. Bhat. “Human Papillomavirus 18 E6 Inhibits Phosphorylation of P53 Expressed in HeLa Cells.” Cell & Bioscience 2.2 (2012). Print. <http://www.cellandbioscience.com/content/2/1/2> Central Bucks School District.Diagnosis and Treatment, 2012.Web. 09 Apr. 2013. <http://www.cbsd.org/sites/teachers/hs/chchoe/Honors%20Reading%20Articles/D_Cell%20Physiology_HELA%20CELLS.pdf> Harris, Paul. Final Twist to Tale of Henrietta Lacks, the Woman Whose Cells Helped the Fight Against Cancer. World, 2013.Web. 04 April 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/31/henrietta-lacks-cancer-research-genome> Hepworth, Jeri. “Advocacy for Henrietta Lacks and for Family Medicine.” President’s Column 43.8 (2011): 595-596. Print. <http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2011/September/Jeri595.pdf> Johnson, Whit. Family Sees Up Close Henrietta Lacks Contribution to Science. News, 2013.Web. 04 April 2013. <http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/The-Legacy-of-Henrietta-Leaks-Cells-Science-Polio-Vaccine-194083211.html> Kappel, Hunter. Henrietta Lacks and Her “Immortal” Cells. Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, 2011.Web. 04 April 2013. <http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/11s_final-12-13.pdf> Lucey, Brendan P., Walter A. Nelson-Rees and Grover M. Hutchins.“Henrietta Lacks, HeLa Cells, and Cell Culture Contamination.” Arch Pathol Lab Med 133 (2009): 1463-1467. Print. <http://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.1043/1543-2165-133.9.1463> McKie, Robin. Henrietta Lackss Cells Were Priceless, But Her Family Cant Afford A Hospital. World, 2010.Web. 09 April 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/04/henrietta-lacks-cancer-cells> Manfuso, Jamie, and Stephanie Desmon.Web Extra: Honoring the Henrietta Lacks Legacy at Hopkins. Hopkins Medicine magazine Spring Summer 2011, 2011.Web. 09 Apr. 2013. < http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/hopkins_medicine_magazine/hopkins_medicine_magazine_spring_summer_2011/web_extra_honoring_the_henrietta_lacks_legacy_at_hopkins> NPR.Tracing the Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks, 2011.Web. 04 April 2013. <http://www.npr.org/2011/03/18/134622044/tracing-the-immortal-cells-of-henrietta-lacks> Pleasant, Aka Loretta. Henrietta Lacks. People, 2012.Web. 04 April 2013. <http://www.nndb.com/people/622/000275794/> Samuels, Allison. Health-Care Injustice.Newsweek, 2010.Web. 09 April 2013. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/02/15/health-care-injustice.html> Shafi, Gowhar, AnjanaMunshi, Tarique N. Hasan, Ali A. Alshatwi, A. Jyoti and David K. Y. Lei. “Induction of Apoptosis in HeLa Cells by Chloroform Fraction of Seed Extracts of Nigella Sativa.”Cancer Cell International 9.29 (2009). Print. <http://www.cancerci.com/content/9/1/29> Skloot, Rebecca. Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. United Kingdom: Pan Macmillan, 2010. Print. Read More