What HeLa Cells a.k.a. Immortal Cells Are and Why They Are Important.

                An Example of Racism in Medicine.

HeLa cells are the most well-known and widely used in the biological research community.     

      HeLa cells have played a key role in many of the scientific developments of the last 60+ years including the development of the Polio vaccine, as well as work on HIV and numerous cancer studies.

     The HeLa cell line has endured as a research model for the last ~70 years because it can be easily grown, is incredibly robust and is available as a free resource from John Hopkins.

     Moreover, with the volume of work done on these cells it means that it is well characterised making it possible to infer more information.

     One issue with HeLa cells is that due to their robust nature they can inadvertently end up as contaminants of other cell lines.

   Thus, an attempt has been made in this E-Booklet to include the following Key Takeaways- Hela Cells:

·    HeLa cells are the first immortal human cell line.

·    The cells came from a cervical cancer sample obtained from Henrietta Lack in 1951, without her knowledge or permission.

·    HeLa cells have led to many important scientific discoveries, yet there are disadvantages to working with them.

·    HeLa cells have led to the examination of the ethical considerations of working with human cells.

     Further, it is also attempted to deliver an Image Gallery of several Microscopic views for the enthusiastic Medicos at one click!

…Dr. H. K. Saboowala.

                      M.B.(Bom) .M.R.S.H.(London)