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Hela Cell

The Hela cell is a type of cell line that is derived from cervical cancer cells. Named after Henrietta Lacks, the woman from whom the cells were originally harvested without her knowledge or consent in 1951, the Hela cell line has been used extensively in scientific research.

History

The Hela cell line was first developed by George Otto Gey at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Gey noticed that the cells from Lacks' cancerous tumor were remarkably durable and proliferated rapidly in a lab setting. This was a significant breakthrough, as it allowed for the consistent and reliable growth of cells in a laboratory environment, which was a major challenge for researchers at the time.

Characteristics

Hela cells are known for their ability to divide indefinitely in a lab setting. This characteristic, known as immortality, is due to the presence of an active version of the telomerase enzyme, which prevents the degradation of the cells' telomeres. This allows the cells to avoid the Hayflick limit, which is the normal limit on the number of times a human cell population will divide before cell division stops.

Uses in Research

The Hela cell line has been used in numerous areas of scientific research. It has been instrumental in the development of the polio vaccine, as well as in research into cancer, AIDS, the effects of radiation and toxic substances, gene mapping, and many other areas. Despite the ethical issues surrounding its origin, the Hela cell line continues to be a vital tool in biomedical research.

Ethical Controversy

The use of the Hela cell line has been the subject of ethical controversy. Henrietta Lacks, and her family were not informed of the use of her cells, and did not give consent for their use. This has led to discussions about the need for informed consent and the rights of individuals in scientific research.

See Also

• Cell culture
• Henrietta Lacks
• George Otto Gey
• Informed consent