The similarity between the Marvel super villain, Hela, Goddess of Death, and Henrietta Lacks is evident and credible. Even Deborah believes “that goddess was based on her mother too” (Skloot, 2010, p. 255). Henrietta Lacks’ immortal cancer cells have the same characteristics, effects, and immunities as the super villain Hela does. For example, Hela’s strength coincides with Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells’ strength. Nothing seems to surpass their strength or be able to defeat them, since both are immortal and are unlike any normal human being or somatic cell. Hela is as immune as Henrietta Lacks’ cells. Hela is not prone to “fire, radiation, toxins, corrosives, disease, [or] aging” (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). Doctors and researchers have done various tests and cryopreservation to HeLa cells, yet the cells are still alive and multiplying as strongly as ever. Hela is guilty for “plagues, sicknesses, and catastrophes,” and HeLa cells have done the same (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). HeLa cells are malignant and cancerous, consequently having killed Henrietta at a very young age. HeLa cells have also contaminated various cell cultures and lines, causing tension in medicine. Strangely, both seem to “levitate and control people’s minds” as well (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). HeLa cells are the reason why Deborah has feared early death and struggles to live in peace. Henrietta’s cells have brought up political issues concerning moral values and prior informed consent for any medical procedure. Lastly, Henrietta “lives trapped in a land between hell and living,” just like Hela does (Skloot, 2010, p. 255). Henrietta is living on in her immortal cancer cells, but cannot rest in peace because HeLa cells have caused an unbelievable amount of delicate issues. Every element that makes up Henrietta Lacks and her cells are what clearly influenced the Marvel super villain Hela.
Skloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
Does the villainous role of HeLa the Goddess of Death portray a negative connotation with HeLa cells? If so, do you think they connotation can go as far back as to the person to whom the cells originally belonged (Henrietta Lacks?)
The villainous role of Hela does make HeLa cells appear villainous. HeLa cells are believed to be the inspiration for the villainous Hela, explaining why they share various malignant characteristics with Hela. Both have caused pain and destruction, deaths and chaos. Many people see Henrietta Lacks’ cells as evil, but their source cannot be. Henrietta Lacks never intended to hurt anyone. She always cared about others first and even kept her medical problems to herself to keep her family from worrying. The average citizen compares HeLa cells to the villainous Hela, but scientists, researchers, and doctors don’t. Even though it is true that HeLa cells are malignant and killed Henrietta Lacks, this negative connotation only characterizes half of what HeLa cells are known for. HeLa cells have also benefitted many individuals and the medical field. If it wasn't for HeLa cells, scientists and researchers would not have reached such a high peak in genetics and virology. Hela, on the other hand, has done nothing of importance or value to science or the world. Also, it’s not like HeLa cells chose to become malignant, contaminate cell cultures, and kill Henrietta Lacks. Cells don't have emotions, so they can't be compared to the unthoughtful and evil ways of the villain Hela; she can choose to be evil or not. The negative connotation does not exist for everyone. Normal citizens compare HeLa cells to a villain, while scientists and researchers see them as a hero (Skloot, 2010).
Skloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
I agree with Kimberly. It is easy to believe that the Marvel super villian, Hela Goddess of Death, was based on Henrietta because Hela was "immune to fire, radiation, toxins, corrosives, disease, and aging" (Skloot, 2011, p. 254). Similarly, Henrietta's cervical cancer cells are immune to diseases and aging and even helped produce cures for many diseases, such as the polio vaccine. Both Hela and Henrietta’s cervical cancer cells have “‘superhuman’ strength” (Skloot, 2011, p. 254); Henrietta’s cancer cells are invinsible. Some scientists said Henrietta’s cells could grow in unsterile areas, even on dust particles. Similarly, both Hela and Henrietta’s cancer cells have “‘godlike’ stamina and durability” (Skloot, 2011, p. 254). Clearly, Marvel used Henrietta’s cells as inspiration for their Hela character because both have similar characteristics.
Skloot, R. (2011). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
Hela gets her name from the HeLa cells, and she is based on the Norse goddess Hel. The change would be strange without a reason; other Norse gods kept their original names and personalities. In Norse mythology, Hel ruled over the realm of Hel in Niflheim. Hel is the place where those who died of old age and disease go; the place is not described as horrendous as the Christian Hell, but most warriors fake battle deaths to go to Valhalla, a paradise for those who died in battle. Hel is also a child of Loki, a villain in both Marvel Comics and the original Norse mythology, and feared to bring disaster, so she was sent to Hel. Her villain role in the Marvel Comics can be based on her father as well as the HeLa cells.
The similarity between the Marvel super villain, Hela, Goddess of Death, and Henrietta Lacks is evident and credible. Even Deborah believes “that goddess was based on her mother too” (Skloot, 2010, p. 255). Henrietta Lacks’ immortal cancer cells have the same characteristics, effects, and immunities as the super villain Hela does. For example, Hela’s strength coincides with Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells’ strength. Nothing seems to surpass their strength or be able to defeat them, since both are immortal and are unlike any normal human being or somatic cell. Hela is as immune as Henrietta Lacks’ cells. Hela is not prone to “fire, radiation, toxins, corrosives, disease, [or] aging” (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). Doctors and researchers have done various tests and cryopreservation to HeLa cells, yet the cells are still alive and multiplying as strongly as ever. Hela is guilty for “plagues, sicknesses, and catastrophes,” and HeLa cells have done the same (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). HeLa cells are malignant and cancerous, consequently having killed Henrietta at a very young age. HeLa cells have also contaminated various cell cultures and lines, causing tension in medicine. Strangely, both seem to “levitate and control people’s minds” as well (Skloot, 2010, p. 254). HeLa cells are the reason why Deborah has feared early death and struggles to live in peace. Henrietta’s cells have brought up political issues concerning moral values and prior informed consent for any medical procedure. Lastly, Henrietta “lives trapped in a land between hell and living,” just like Hela does (Skloot, 2010, p. 255). Henrietta is living on in her immortal cancer cells, but cannot rest in peace because HeLa cells have caused an unbelievable amount of delicate issues. Every element that makes up Henrietta Lacks and her cells are what clearly influenced the Marvel super villain Hela.
ReplyDeleteSkloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
Does the villainous role of HeLa the Goddess of Death portray a negative connotation with HeLa cells? If so, do you think they connotation can go as far back as to the person to whom the cells originally belonged (Henrietta Lacks?)
ReplyDeleteThe villainous role of Hela does make HeLa cells appear villainous. HeLa cells are believed to be the inspiration for the villainous Hela, explaining why they share various malignant characteristics with Hela. Both have caused pain and destruction, deaths and chaos. Many people see Henrietta Lacks’ cells as evil, but their source cannot be. Henrietta Lacks never intended to hurt anyone. She always cared about others first and even kept her medical problems to herself to keep her family from worrying. The average citizen compares HeLa cells to the villainous Hela, but scientists, researchers, and doctors don’t. Even though it is true that HeLa cells are malignant and killed Henrietta Lacks, this negative connotation only characterizes half of what HeLa cells are known for. HeLa cells have also benefitted many individuals and the medical field. If it wasn't for HeLa cells, scientists and researchers would not have reached such a high peak in genetics and virology. Hela, on the other hand, has done nothing of importance or value to science or the world. Also, it’s not like HeLa cells chose to become malignant, contaminate cell cultures, and kill Henrietta Lacks. Cells don't have emotions, so they can't be compared to the unthoughtful and evil ways of the villain Hela; she can choose to be evil or not. The negative connotation does not exist for everyone. Normal citizens compare HeLa cells to a villain, while scientists and researchers see them as a hero (Skloot, 2010).
DeleteSkloot, R. (2010). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Kimberly. It is easy to believe that the Marvel super villian, Hela Goddess of Death, was based on Henrietta because Hela was "immune to fire, radiation, toxins, corrosives, disease, and aging" (Skloot, 2011, p. 254). Similarly, Henrietta's cervical cancer cells are immune to diseases and aging and even helped produce cures for many diseases, such as the polio vaccine. Both Hela and Henrietta’s cervical cancer cells have “‘superhuman’ strength” (Skloot, 2011, p. 254); Henrietta’s cancer cells are invinsible. Some scientists said Henrietta’s cells could grow in unsterile areas, even on dust particles. Similarly, both Hela and Henrietta’s cancer cells have “‘godlike’ stamina and durability” (Skloot, 2011, p. 254). Clearly, Marvel used Henrietta’s cells as inspiration for their Hela character because both have similar characteristics.
ReplyDeleteSkloot, R. (2011). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Crown.
Hela gets her name from the HeLa cells, and she is based on the Norse goddess Hel. The change would be strange without a reason; other Norse gods kept their original names and personalities. In Norse mythology, Hel ruled over the realm of Hel in Niflheim. Hel is the place where those who died of old age and disease go; the place is not described as horrendous as the Christian Hell, but most warriors fake battle deaths to go to Valhalla, a paradise for those who died in battle. Hel is also a child of Loki, a villain in both Marvel Comics and the original Norse mythology, and feared to bring disaster, so she was sent to Hel. Her villain role in the Marvel Comics can be based on her father as well as the HeLa cells.
ReplyDelete