The HeLa cancer call genome is vastly different from Henrietta’s normal genome. A gene transfer from the human papillomavirus 18 virus (HPV18) to human cervical cells created the original HeLa strain of cancer cells. a) Describe the type of evidence scientists would need to justify this claim.

b) From this discovery, an HPV vaccination was developed. Without HeLa cells, this would not have been possible. Yet, these cells were taken for research without Mrs. Lack’s knowledge. Evaluate the pros and cons of designating biopsy cells as "free cells," cells that can be used without required patient consent.

HeLa Cell

It is the first human immortal cell line.

a). The scientist took a tissue sample from a patient named Henrietta Lacks. She was a cervical cancer patient.

Now when the scientist observed the cell sample in the laboratory, they saw that cell was growing indefinitely, i.e. 'immortal'.

So, they named it the HeLa Cell.

Later, the scientist found many copies of HPV-18 (Human Pappiloma Virus-18) in these HeLa cells which is a strain of HPV.

These strains has caused cervical cancer in Henrietta Lacks.

b). The Pros

   The Cons

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a. Sequencing the genome and transcriptome of these cells

b. Pros: these cells can be very useful in research (as in Henrieta case)

Contras: 1. patient's family may have inherited the same genetic defect from their common ancestors, thereby this information might be used for malicious people  

2. Ethical issues  

Explanation:

By using genome sequencing technologies it is possible to determine the nucleotide sequence of the genome (DNA) and their transcriptomic products (i.e., RNAs, especially mRNAs) obtained from a particular cell type. Therefore, these technologies can be used to compare the genome of cancer cells and Henrietta’s normal genome.

HeLa cells have been very useful in pharmaceutical research. These cells have been used in cancer research, in the development of vaccines (e.g., polio vaccine and HPV vaccine), Parkinson's Disease, etc. Moreover, the use of cells without required patient consent may affect the patient’s family by exhibiting information about the genetic conditions of multiple generations of this family, which might be considered unethical and lead to problems associated with the malicious use of this information.