Chapter 20: The HeLa Bomb - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Key Events and Context
Date and Location: September 1966, Second Decennial Review Conference on Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Main Speaker: Stanley Gardler, a geneticist, highlighted a major issue in cell culture research.
Audience: Over 700 scientists from biotech companies and academia worldwide attended.
Gardler's Announcement
Technical Problem Identified: Gardler discovered 18 common cell cultures had a rare genetic marker, G6PD-A, mostly found in Black Americans.
Implication: Suggested widespread HeLa cell contamination.
HeLa Cells' Impact: Demonstrated that HeLa cells could infiltrate other cultures through air, hands, or equipment, overpowering them.
Reaction and Implications
Research Impact: Millions of dollars and years of research potentially compromised if cells were HeLa-contaminated.
Contamination: Suggested that cross-contamination had affected results, questioning the validity of research outcomes.
Spontaneous Transformation Doubts: Raised questions about the concept of normal cells transforming into cancer cells.
Responses from the Scientific Community
Mixed Reactions: Shock and disbelief in the scientific community; some supported and others questioned Gardler’s findings.
Discussion and Defense: Scientists asked questions about possible contamination in Gardler’s lab and sought defenses from those whose cell lines were cited.
Robert Chang and Leonard Hayflick: Concerned about the validity of their research as their cell lines were listed as contaminated.
Aftermath and Developments
Post-Conference Actions: Some scientists began testing cell lines for G6PD-A to assess contamination levels.
Resistance to Change: Many continued using potentially contaminated cell lines, not fully accepting Gardler’s warnings.
Development of Genetic Tests: Efforts to create specific tests to identify HeLa cells led to eventual involvement with Henrietta Lacks' family.
Conclusion
Wider Impact: Gardler’s findings, known as the "HeLa Bomb," had a lasting impact on cell culture research, leading to more robust testing methods and raising ethical questions about the use of HeLa cells.