Synopsis Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Essay Example

lack thereof, related to research without consent. She argues that the United States has always been and will continue to be driven by market forces.

Rebecca Skloot embarked on an extensive search to uncover the identity of Henrietta, the woman behind the cells that were constantly being bought and sold. When she approached Henrietta's family, they were not particularly thrilled. The Lacks family had limited knowledge about what their mother's cells had achieved, only recognizing their significance. The family's main concern was that they were never informed or given consent regarding their mother's involvement or the impact she had on the world. They desired recognition for their mother as the originator of these cells and her pivotal role in this entire ordeal.

During their journey, they were asked to donate blood without being told why, which made them wonder about their own health. Unbeknownst to the family, the blood was actually used for cell research. The author, sharing her past research experiences, faced numerous challenges in obtaining this information. Dr. George Gey and Richard Wesley TeLinde, two researchers, had a strong desire to cultivate immortal cells for cancer research, thus paving the way for the birth of HeLa cells.

Dr. Gey, a head tissue-culture researcher at John Hopkins, had a specific goal in mind. "Gey and his wife, Margeret, had spent the last three decades working to grow malignant cells outside the body, hoping to use them to find cancer’s cause and cure" (Skloot 39). Despite previous failures in growing cells outside of the body, Dr. Gey received help from TeLinde, a renowned expert in cervical cancer, who provided him with cervical

cancer tissue to aid in his study. TeLinde, who aimed to prove others wrong, collaborated with Dr. Gey for this purpose.

Telinde had a vision of comparing living samples of normal cervical tissue and both types of cancerous tissue, which had never been done before. He believed that if he could demonstrate that carcinoma in situ and invasive looked and behaved similarly in the laboratory, he could prove his correctness and expose the doctors who ignored him as causing harm to their patients” (Skloot 30). Their common objective bound them together - one would provide while the other would create. Their ultimate aim was to benefit others in the world, including fellow doctors.

The doctor who examined Henrietta removed two dime-sized pieces of tissue from her tumor and healthy tissue. These pieces were then placed in glass dishes and sent to Dr Gey for observation and growth. The cells needed the ideal medium with proper nutrients to remain alive and avoid contamination. Maintaining sterility was crucial to prevent the cultures from being affected or ruined by dust particles, bacteria, or other contaminants from the air, surfaces, or humans.

Despite expectations, Henrietta’s tissues remained alive and doubled in size rapidly. Her cervix tissue was sliced into small cubes, coated in medium, and positioned at the base of chicken-blood clots. These tubes containing the renowned cells were maintained in an incubator, a controlled environment that ensured their sterility and survival. Mary, Gey’s assistant, initially believed Henrietta’s cells would perish like others before. However, she observed them for multiple days until fried egg whites materialized beneath the clots.

Splitting the cells into different

clots, they rapidly multiplied and grew. To accommodate their growth, they had to be divided into separate tubes. As long as the cells received the correct nutrients and remained uncontaminated, they would continue to live and grow indefinitely. The significance and usefulness of these cells in research made them highly sought after. According to Skloot (58), Henrietta's cells were invaluable because they enabled scientists to conduct experiments that would have been otherwise impossible with a living human.

HeLa cells were utilized in various experiments to investigate the effects of toxins, drugs, or infections on cells, which provided insights into the impact on human cells. Additionally, these cells were instrumental in studying cancer and its ability to suppress the immune system through tumor formation. The abundance of HeLa cells ensured an uninterrupted supply for researchers and scientists to conduct continuous testing and experimentation. Moreover, HeLa cells found applications in cloning, gene mapping, and cryopreservation.

The utilization of a woman's cervical tissue for medical purposes brought about significant changes in the medical field. TeLinde gathered samples of cervical cancer from all his female patients without their knowledge or consent. He justified this action by stating that since the patients received free treatment in public wards, it was fair to utilize their tissue for research purposes as a form of payment (Skloot 30). In return for the patients' free treatment, he believed it was reasonable to use a piece of their tissue, and this is exactly what he did with Henrietta Lacks.

Nobody informed or consulted her about becoming a donor. Although they did not harm her, was it acceptable to use her tissue primarily

for research without her consent and for financial gain? Did this act originate solely from altruism? Altruism refers to selfless actions that benefit others. TeLinde and Gey aimed to use these immortal cells for research purposes, in order to prove something to the world. Despite not obtaining Henrietta's consent regarding the use of her cells, it caused no harm to her body and had a positive impact on society. TeLinde and Gey were not seeking any financial profit from these cells.

Gey altruistically distributed these cells to researchers globally, aiming to aid their exploration of vaccines and remedies for various diseases, while also delving deeper into the understanding of cells and cancer. His research was driven solely by the pursuit of knowledge, without any profit-oriented motives. Striving with limited resources, he even constructed his own tools and technology using discarded materials. Instead of publishing his findings, his primary focus was on mastering the maintenance of the cells and seeking valuable insights from them. It was only when the HeLa factory emerged that profit began to play a role in his endeavors.

The factory was manufacturing a large quantity of HeLa cells for the purpose of polio research. Given the escalating number of poliovirus cases, it was crucial to find a way to combat it. HeLa cells were distributed to various scientists, who began studying viruses as a result. They exposed HeLa cells to different viruses in order to conduct extensive research. HeLa cells became a lucrative enterprise, generating profits starting from small amounts of cells. These cells not only possess an eternal lifespan but are also infinite in supply, thus giving rise to

a multibillion-dollar industry. The presence of financial gain in research can be advantageous in various aspects.

The ability to generate profit allows for the acquisition of essential tools and technology necessary for conducting effective research. Profit enables the procurement of supplies such as medium, tools, microscopes, incubators, and test tubes, all of which contribute to enhancing research efficacy. In addition to facilitating the purchase of necessary resources, profit also instills a sense of motivation and prestige in individuals conducting research with the potential to benefit the world. However, conducting research driven by profit is not without its risks. For example, Gey, as mentioned in the book, was unable to publish his work due to being constantly occupied with other responsibilities.

Despite feeling relieved when companies took over the distribution of HeLa cells, the author also experienced a loss of control over the cells he had discovered. He had specific intentions for how other scientists should use and study the cells, but they were not interested in following his guidance. Instead, they believed he should have conducted his own research and claimed credit for it before sharing the cells with others. The cells were no longer solely his; they had become accessible to the public for widespread exploration. This is a common consequence of pursuing profit.

Pharmaceuticals and other industries have the ability to financially support research, however, this can lead to issues surrounding ownership and credibility. When a researcher's work is funded by a company, the credit for the research is shared between the researcher and the company. This creates difficulties in determining who truly deserves recognition for the work and

whether the findings are reliable. In some cases, researchers may be compelled to publish inaccurate or incomplete work due to pressure from the industry funding them. Gey's situation not only posed a risk of allowing profit to influence research but also presented obstacles for him. The industry's mass production of cells restricted his ability to conduct alternative studies and experiments as anyone could use these cells as they pleased.

He desired a more effective method of distributing HeLa cells, but lacked control. His aim was to utilize these cells for cancer research and even offered them for free. The wider dissemination of the cells presented challenges, preventing him from attaining ideal circumstances. Many researchers with altruistic motives often encounter issues related to limited resources and integrity. The absence of resources can hinder progress and utilization of advanced tools and technology in their studies. Additionally, availability of resources may become a hindrance in conducting the research. Honesty also poses a significant challenge.

Conducting research to improve the world is often challenging. Honesty about the necessary resources is essential, even if they are not always obtainable. Gey's motive for taking Henrietta's cells was altruistic, as he aimed to study immortal cells in order to cure cancer. However, openly admitting to taking the cells could have led to complications. While some individuals might have accepted this action, others would not have approved, resulting in a shortage of studies for his research or experiments.

Honesty is a significant factor as it can potentially frighten people if statements are overly truthful, yet it can also become unethical if the truth is compromised. HeLa cells have brought about

numerous changes in the field of medicine and have had a profound influence on countless researchers. Furthermore, these cells continue to thrive today. Despite the unethical discovery of their origin, they have ultimately benefitted the world and have been utilized for the purpose of helping others. The revelation of the woman behind the HeLa cells has not only educated the world but has also provided insight to her family.