Ever wonder whenever scientists work on finding a cure to certain diseases and need human cells for trials. Until the year 1950, all the lab-grown human cells for trails died within a few days.
In the year 1951, Dr. George Gey received a strange looking tumor. It was dark-purplish. It was harvested from the patient Henrietta Lacks who was raised in a tobacco farm in Virginia, Scotland. Hence the name Hela.
Unlike normal cells, Hela had the power to multiply itself forever. A normal human cell multiplies 50 times before it dies. But Hela on the other hand had a special type of chromosome which does not allow the cell to die. Hela keeps multiplying and never stops. Soon that year, the whole world produced about 6 trillion Hela cells. Hela is used in labs to discover cures for diseases and its symptoms. Henrietta Lacks died in a few months after her tumor cells were harvested. Thanks to her, We have an unlimited source of lab-grown cells.
SAY IT PROUD,
BE A BIO GEEK !!
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