Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Part III- Chapter 23-38: Question 22

The title of this chapter contains an allusion to the classic horror movie Frankenstein.
What does this allusion suggest about the tension between scientific discovery, and
public perception and fear of such discoveries?

3 comments:

  1. It is obvious that during the 1970s, people still had a lot of distrust on cell culture, as well as science. The allusion of Frankenstein suggests fear of the unknown (in this case science) is still exposed as a threat to the people: especially for African Americans, who were victims of the Night Doctors and the syphilis studies at Tuskegee. For Bobbette (Henrietta’s daughter-in-law), learning about Henrietta's cells was “like a nightmare” (Skloot 180). All the terrifying stories she had heard about Hopkin’s and the Tuskegee studies were suddenly true, and supposedly happening to her family. To the public, it was obviously not perceived well due to the recurring statements that scientists were trying to play god and creating monsters. Especially to the Lacks family, hearing the news that Henrietta was “alive,” most assumed that scientists had done something to Henrietta - either in her autopsy or they had dug her up. This would also tie in to the a patient’s consent to scientific discovery as many wondered whether Henrietta would have given her cells voluntarily. Overall, people feared scientific discovery - it was corrupt, spooky, and weird (for the time). From Alexis Carrel’s “immortal” chicken heart to Gey’s HeLa, scientific discoveries still seemed to be the stuff of “racism [and] creepy science fiction” (Skloot 62).

    Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2011. Print.

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  2. Hi Ricardo, how do you think most scientific discoveries are perceived today? What about cell cultures today?

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    Replies
    1. Scientific discovery seems to be much more recieved than it was say 50 years ago. Science has achieved many things from medicine, to space travel, to even simpler things that help one’s everyday activities. It’s pretty obvious that science has become much more accepted. However there does seem to be many people who oppose discoveries as it attacks their beliefs. But this is besides the point as science today is not seen as the stuff of “racism [or] creepy science fiction” but more so as astounding (Skloot 62).
      Cell culture is pretty controversial today, though. The term "cell culture" now refers to the culturing of cells derived from multicellular eukaryotes. In today’s case, most cell culturing is the use of stem cells. Stem cells particularly use embryos for research; this can lead to the production of organs and other biological advances in medicine. many people oppose this research as the debate is largely focused on moral and ethical questions.

      Kohut, A. (2009, July 9). Public Praises Science. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.people-press.org/2009/07/09/public-praises-science-scientists-fault-public-media/

      Masci, D. (2009, November 4). Public Opinion on Religion and Science in the United States. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.pewforum.org/2009/11/05/public-opinion-on-religion-and-science-in-the-united-states/

      Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2011. Print.

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