Day 3

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    How do scientists know that HeLa cells have contaminated so many other cell lines?

    Many cell lines were showing that they contained a rare genetic marker called G6PD-A. This marker is almost exclusively found in black Americans, and even within that group, it is unusual. It would be impossible for dozens of independently grown cell lines from different donors to all have the marker by chance. It is shown that HeLa contains that marker and that HeLa cells could spread easily--floating on dust particles, sticking to lab coats.

  2. 2

    What is the historical significance of the belief in "Night Doctors"?

    While "Night Doctors" were urban myths, there was disturbing...

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