During that time scientists were unable to tell of how HeLa grew so powerfully because of the technology.”I talked to many scientists about HeLa, and none of them could explain why Henrietta’s cells grew so powerfully when many others didn’t survive”(Skloot 213). “Today it’s possible for scientists to immortalize cells by exposing them to certain viruses or chemicals[…]”(Skloot 213). Due to the advanced technology in science that we have today; it’s possible to find out about many diseases, their causes and prevention. It is unclear if they are definitely able to explain how HeLa grew so powerfully; since we are looking at a different time period and that because of their lack of advanced technology, they weren’t able to find out of how it grew so powerfully. If this had happened, some time in this period, then scientists would’ve had a good chance to find out about the cells powerful growth. Maybe if technology was advanced then they would’ve had an answer, but it remained unclear. Scientists did continue testing HeLa and finding out more viruses, disease, their causes and prevention, but no one really looked to this question. If scientists did work a little harder to find the answer then today we would’ve had an answer. Doctors and scientists should’ve done more tests and experiments to get to the bottom of this. This question should’ve arouse in their minds and they should’ve begun to work on this. Instead of them doing other things, this should’ve been the first thing on their list. Finding about the growth could’ve led them to better discoveries in science.
Hunt, L. (2010, June 21). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: A bittersweet legacy. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/7845119/The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks-a-bittersweet-legacy.html
It is true that at the time scientists were limited in what they can do, but there has been research on why HeLa grew so powerfully. Not many researchers are able to find a definite answer on how HeLa grew so powerfully, however, research has uncovered reasons why HeLa acted the way it did. Scientists in the 1980’s discovered many of the effects of the HPV virus (it would cause many different types of cancers). After German virologist Harald zur Hausen strained HeLa cells, the cells in fact tested positive for the HPV virus. In fact, her cells had multiple copies of the HPV genome in them. This led many scientists to believe that that multiple copies of HPV would alter a specific site on Henrietta’s DNA that was could cause such cancer cells to grow as powerful as they did. With research, it was concluded that chromosome 11 was effected by the HPV virus: “HPV inserted its DNA… and turned off [Henrietta’s] p53 tumor suppressor gene” (Skloot 213). This would explain why the cancer started, however it should also be noted that Henrietta also had syphilis. Syphilis can suppress the immune system; this most likely is the reason why the cancer cells grew more aggressively. But many people had HPV and syphilis (particularly in the ’50s) and their cells didn’t grow like Henrietta’s. Even today, there are other immortal cell lines, and it’s possible for scientists to immortalize cells by exposing them to certain viruses. However, there still hasn’t been another cell line like HeLa, because it grows in a very unique way.
Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2011. Print.
Hi Sindarvani...I hope you realize that HeLa cells are being used for research just as much today as they were when they were first discovered, so your statement about not having the right technology to understand HeLa cells does not apply. Technology is more far advanced today so more research can be done. In fact, the question above is stated for the present, "Are they" rather than "were they". Please provide an updated response.
Definitely today scientists are able to explain how HeLa grew so powerfully because of the advanced technology. Scientists had discovered that she also had syphilis that suppresses the immune system and causes the growth of the cancer cells. In today’s time, may tests could be conducted to find out how certain cells react to alterations done to it and how cells grow powerfully. If scientists do more tests and experiments today then they will be able to find out of how HeLa grew powerfully, but if this thought had arouse in the scientists minds during that time, then it would’ve been more beneficial for us today because we could’ve found out about more viruses and diseases; their causes, preventions and effects. Also, scientists have found out that, “The sample didn’t just test positive, it showed that Henrietta had been infected with multiple copies of HPV-18, which turned out to be one of the most virulent strains of the virus” (Skloot 212). They had determined that HPV had caused her to have cancer and that multiple copies of HPV combined with her DNA which caused her cells to grow the way they did. Giffard, H. (2006, January 1). What are HeLa Cells? Retrieved January 19, 2015, from http://www.innovateus.net/content/what-are-hela-cells
Adding to this, I also think the HeLa cells grew so powerfully because they contained the enzyme telomerase. This enzyme causes the cancer cells to regenerate their telomeres. In a regular cell, the telomere in a chromosome shortens each time a cell divides. In cancer cells, this enzyme can be found. Since HeLa has this enzyme, it became to be potentially immortal. HeLa took over so many cultures because of its strength. Telomerase rewound the ticking clock of Henrietta's chromosomes so that they never died and grew old. These cells simply outlived and outgrew any other cell that they encountered.
During that time scientists were unable to tell of how HeLa grew so powerfully because of the technology.”I talked to many scientists about HeLa, and none of them could explain why Henrietta’s cells grew so powerfully when many others didn’t survive”(Skloot 213). “Today it’s possible for scientists to immortalize cells by exposing them to certain viruses or chemicals[…]”(Skloot 213). Due to the advanced technology in science that we have today; it’s possible to find out about many diseases, their causes and prevention. It is unclear if they are definitely able to explain how HeLa grew so powerfully; since we are looking at a different time period and that because of their lack of advanced technology, they weren’t able to find out of how it grew so powerfully. If this had happened, some time in this period, then scientists would’ve had a good chance to find out about the cells powerful growth. Maybe if technology was advanced then they would’ve had an answer, but it remained unclear. Scientists did continue testing HeLa and finding out more viruses, disease, their causes and prevention, but no one really looked to this question. If scientists did work a little harder to find the answer then today we would’ve had an answer. Doctors and scientists should’ve done more tests and experiments to get to the bottom of this. This question should’ve arouse in their minds and they should’ve begun to work on this. Instead of them doing other things, this should’ve been the first thing on their list. Finding about the growth could’ve led them to better discoveries in science.
ReplyDeleteHunt, L. (2010, June 21). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: A bittersweet legacy. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/7845119/The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks-a-bittersweet-legacy.html
It is true that at the time scientists were limited in what they can do, but there has been research on why HeLa grew so powerfully. Not many researchers are able to find a definite answer on how HeLa grew so powerfully, however, research has uncovered reasons why HeLa acted the way it did. Scientists in the 1980’s discovered many of the effects of the HPV virus (it would cause many different types of cancers). After German virologist Harald zur Hausen strained HeLa cells, the cells in fact tested positive for the HPV virus. In fact, her cells had multiple copies of the HPV genome in them. This led many scientists to believe that that multiple copies of HPV would alter a specific site on Henrietta’s DNA that was could cause such cancer cells to grow as powerful as they did. With research, it was concluded that chromosome 11 was effected by the HPV virus: “HPV inserted its DNA… and turned off [Henrietta’s] p53 tumor suppressor gene” (Skloot 213). This would explain why the cancer started, however it should also be noted that Henrietta also had syphilis. Syphilis can suppress the immune system; this most likely is the reason why the cancer cells grew more aggressively. But many people had HPV and syphilis (particularly in the ’50s) and their cells didn’t grow like Henrietta’s. Even today, there are other immortal cell lines, and it’s possible for scientists to immortalize cells by exposing them to certain viruses. However, there still hasn’t been another cell line like HeLa, because it grows in a very unique way.
DeleteSkloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2011. Print.
Hi Sindarvani...I hope you realize that HeLa cells are being used for research just as much today as they were when they were first discovered, so your statement about not having the right technology to understand HeLa cells does not apply. Technology is more far advanced today so more research can be done. In fact, the question above is stated for the present, "Are they" rather than "were they". Please provide an updated response.
DeleteDefinitely today scientists are able to explain how HeLa grew so powerfully because of the advanced technology. Scientists had discovered that she also had syphilis that suppresses the immune system and causes the growth of the cancer cells. In today’s time, may tests could be conducted to find out how certain cells react to alterations done to it and how cells grow powerfully. If scientists do more tests and experiments today then they will be able to find out of how HeLa grew powerfully, but if this thought had arouse in the scientists minds during that time, then it would’ve been more beneficial for us today because we could’ve found out about more viruses and diseases; their causes, preventions and effects. Also, scientists have found out that, “The sample didn’t just test positive, it showed that Henrietta had been infected with multiple copies of HPV-18, which turned out to be one of the most virulent strains of the virus” (Skloot 212). They had determined that HPV had caused her to have cancer and that multiple copies of HPV combined with her DNA which caused her cells to grow the way they did.
DeleteGiffard, H. (2006, January 1). What are HeLa Cells? Retrieved January 19, 2015, from http://www.innovateus.net/content/what-are-hela-cells
Adding to this, I also think the HeLa cells grew so powerfully because they contained the enzyme telomerase. This enzyme causes the cancer cells to regenerate their telomeres. In a regular cell, the telomere in a chromosome shortens each time a cell divides. In cancer cells, this enzyme can be found. Since HeLa has this enzyme, it became to be potentially immortal. HeLa took over so many cultures because of its strength. Telomerase rewound the ticking clock of Henrietta's chromosomes so that they never died and grew old. These cells simply outlived and outgrew any other cell that they encountered.
Delete