The Behavior of HL-60 Cells

HeLa simply stands for Henrietta Lacks, a young mother in the 1951 who went to the doctor complaining of vaginal bleeding and discovered she had cervical cancer. Henrietta’s cells were taken for a biopsy and were found to be like nothing ever seen before; her cells were immortal. Her cancer cells double every 20 to 24 hours and have lived on for the past 60 years. Since HeLa cells were created, our world of modern medicine has been completely changed. We now vaccines for once incurable diseases and have used the cells for cloning and other biomedical research. Although the cells have done a great deal of good,

2. Vitamin D- A group of steroids; resistant to heat, oxidation, acids, and bases; stored in liver, skin, brain, spleen, and bones. Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorous; promotes development of teeth and bones. Sources: produces in skin exposed to ultraviolet light; in milk; egg yolk; fish liver oils; fortified foods. Excess: Diarrhea calcification of soft tissues, renal damage. Deficienceis: Rickets,bone decalcification and weakening.

Cell culture was a very important area in which HeLa cells were used. Because of HeLa cells, they were able to have large quantities of cancer cells with which to conduct experiments. The cells were given to scientists and researchers who passed them on to others who gave them to even more scientists and researchers. The cells were injected with different drugs in the hopes of finding a cure for cancer and other diseases. HeLa cells did not grow like normal cells but were able to divide an unlimited number of times and provide unlimited amounts of cells for research. During our first semester we learned about cell division and how cells could only divide a certain number of times. HeLa cells were cancer cells taken straight from a cancer tumor and they defied this basic principal of cells division.

Do immortal cells exist? Loretta Pleasant, better known as Henrietta Lacks was an African American female born on August 1, 1920. She spent almost most of her childhood and early teenage years in Roanoke, Virginia. At the age of fifteen, Henrietta married David Lacks and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Together, they had five children. Their children were named, Deborah, David Jr., Lawrence, Elsie, and Joseph Lacks.

The scientific development of the HeLa cells has made a huge impact in the medical field. HeLa cells are a cell line created from the doctors of Johns Hopkins Hospital. These cells are from a woman named Henrietta Lacks and are considered to be “immortal”. They are considered to be unique because they are not like any other normal human cell. This cell line is considered to be a triumph to many scientists and researchers, but it also had some negative impacts. Many controversies arose from the development of these cells such as how doctors at Johns Hopkins did not get consent from its patients, how the Lacks family received nothing even with the success of HeLa cells, and the racial segregation that has become one of the reasons for the creation

According to the American Cancer Society (2013) stated, “Leukemia is a cancer that starts in early blood-forming cells” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Most often, leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, but some leukemias start in other blood cell types” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Any of the cells from the bone marrow can turn into a leukemia cell” (American Cancer Society, 2013). According to the American Cancer Society (2013) stated, “Once this change takes place, the leukemia cells don’t go through the normal process of maturing” (American Cancer Society, 2013). There are changes that leukemia cells can quickly reproduce themselves and not die when they are suppose too (American Cancer Society, 2013). “They survive and build up in the bone marrow, crowding out normal cells” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “In most cases, the leukemia cells spill into the bloodstream fairly quickly” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Almost all childhood leukemia is acute leukemias” (American Cancer Society, 2013).

It’s insane that nobody would even know the name Henrietta Lacks if I mentioned her name, not even the contribution HeLa Cells has made for society since she has died.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in many normal bodily functions as well as fighting against a wide number of health barriers. In an article by Jacqueline Kanopa, studies revealed that exposure to ultraviolet rays play a huge part in Vitamin D production, as well as having preventative effects on a disorder known as rickets; which leads to weakened bones due to lack of Vitamin D. This study supports the belief that exposure to UV rays play a critical role in Vitamin D production, and can be beneficial to those prone to certain

After finishing reading the second part of the book, I feel very shocked about the scientists’ attitude and effort towards Hela cells, as well as the hard life of Henrietta’s family.

On February 8, 1951 a sample of cancerous cervical tissue was taken from Henrietta Lacks, a patient at John Hopkins Hospital who would later die from an aggressive strain of cervical cancer on October 4, 1951. The sample was taken during her first radium treatment without her knowledge by Doctor Howard W. Jones, and sent to the cell culture lab where George and Margret Gey would grow her cells. The sample was taken without consent; this calls the ethics of the hospital, and doctors into question. The Lacks family knew little of what Henrietta’s cells would later go onto do or how they could be immortal. Doctors, scientist and the media treated the Lacks family poorly. Although the HeLa cells would create the path to some of the greatest advances

may help kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others. Evidence from one cell culture study

Historically, in medical research, researchers have taken patients cells or organs and used them for research without their consent. Occasionally there are connections with a lack of consent and the economic, social and educational ranking of the patient being used for medical research. There have been trends that show the medical community has taken advantage of the less educated, they may not understand what is happening and/or all the risks involved. Consent should be required at the same level for all patients regardless of their status in society or level of education.

PC3 (8×104  cells/well) and LNCaP (3×105  cells/well) cells were seeded in 6-well plates in 1.5  mL of complete growth media. Cells were treated with 2.5 μM of free sorafenib or an equivalent sorafenib concentration of SMA-Sor, 3 μM of free nilotinib or an equivalent nilotinib concentration of SMA-Nilo, DMSO or SMA for 48  h. Cell cycle distribution was assessed using propidium iodide staining, as previously described {Somers-Edgar, 2011 #82}. Samples were analysed using a FACScalibur flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA) and the proportion of cells in each of G0/G1-, S- and G2/M-phases were determined using CellQuest Pro software (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA).

Since I have lacked to meet adequate amounts, I am at risk for certain deficiencies. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin A are fairly common and results in night blindness, eye disease, dry pimply skin, increased infections, and kidney stones. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin D include soft bones, soft teeth, and rickets, although it

What the scientists are doing is morally right because the contributions their studies are making to medicine are worth giving up a few cells.