CANCER-->NEW SPECIES

Wired · #1 03-18-2006, 12:14 PM

In the 1950’s, Henrietta Lacks got cervical cancer, which evolved into a new species.

A HeLa cell (also Hela or hela cell) is both an immortal cell used in medical research and a new single cell species (Helacyton gartleri) created via horizontal gene transfer. The cell line was derived from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks, who died from her cancer in 1951. The species has evolved so that it does not age.

The cells were propagated without Lacks' knowledge or permission by George Otto Gey. Initially, the cell line was said to be named after a "Helen Lane" or "Helen Larson", in order to preserve Lacks' anonymity. These cells are treated as cancer cells, as they are believed to have stemmed from Ms. Lacks' cervical cancer, but a debate still continues on the classification of these cells.

HeLa are considered "immortal". They do not die of old age and can divide an unlimited number of times as long as basic cell survival conditions are met (i.e. being maintained and sustained in a suitable environment). There are many strains of HeLa cells as they continue to evolve by being grown in cell culture, but all HeLa cells are derived from the same tumour cells removed from Lacks. It has been estimated that the total mass of HeLa cells today far exceeds that of the rest of Henrietta Lacks' body.

HeLa cells have proven difficult to control. They sometimes contaminate other cell cultures growing in the same laboratory, interfering with biological research. The degree of contamination is unknown, because few researchers test the identity or purity of already-established cell lines. It has been claimed that a substantial fraction of in vitro cell lines are actually HeLa, their original cells having been overwhelmed by a rapidly growing population derived from HeLa contaminant cells. Stanley Gartler in 1967, and Walter Nelson-Rees in 1975 were the first to publish on the contamination of cell lines by HeLa.

***Wil*** · #2 03-18-2006, 12:18 PM

That's a nice copy/paste from Wikipedia. There are a number of organisms that don't age. The only one I know a slightly interesting story about are lobsters. When lobster fishing first arrived in the fresh Americas, the specimens caught were massive by today's standards because there had simply been no limit to their growth. Unfortunately my tale is limited by a lack of dates, measurements and locations.

Wired · #3 03-18-2006, 12:29 PM

So what if i copied it, I already knew it all. lobsters do get really big tho.

Splat · #4 03-18-2006, 12:50 PM

Sorry to stop you here but what, really, is the point of this? Are you trying to wan us of something or do you just think this whole thing is interesting enough to post a whole, pointless thread about? If you're going to try and do something like this you should not just copy and paste. You can get some factual info in that way, but then add to it! Tell us the point of it! Do you want to have a discussion about this cancer? Then give us your own opinion, tell us what you think of the situation cus what you've got there is nothing more than a bunch of facts.
If you think its inethical, say so and say why! Wikipedia is usually a non-biased totally factual and non-ethically based enclyclopedia, so if you;re going to use it as a source for a discussion starter then add some of your own information beside it!

Wired · #5 03-18-2006, 05:41 PM

Tell me, do I REALLY have to explain myself to you? Is it the law now?

Oh I'm sorry, I was unaware of the sudden change in the law! For fuck's sake!

AquaticAmbi · #6 03-18-2006, 06:32 PM

Um... calm down? >.>

Yeah... I heard about this from a friend a while back. Interesting stuffs... A woman's cancer turning into a new species. Mmyep...

Wired · #7 03-18-2006, 06:49 PM

:

Um... calm down? >.>

Calm? Blinding torment keeps us all from getting there. We never reach it...much like the cat holding McDonalds fries over the boy.

I totally need to start a Hyku thread.

http://www.fat-pie.com/flash.htm

Godlesswanderer · #8 03-18-2006, 07:07 PM

:

Tell me, do I REALLY have to explain myself to you? Is it the law now?

Oh I'm sorry, I was unaware of the sudden change in the law! For fuck's sake!

Jesus... What's up with you?!

Dipstikk · #9 03-18-2006, 07:11 PM

Haha, the new kid's gone postal on us.

used:) · #10 03-18-2006, 07:37 PM

Wired, can you please stop dumping all this drama on us? Splat wasn't trying to be insulting, your thread really didn't explain what we were talking about. That's all he wanted to find out.

Wired · #11 03-19-2006, 09:06 AM

Sorry guys you'll have to excuse me. I have been clinically diagnosed with dissociative personality disorder. If I ever post erratically its because of my condition. I do apologize.

this isn't a joke

Abe 01 · #12 03-19-2006, 09:57 AM

if you have been diagnosed with thingy majigy cant you do anything about it

Wired · #13 03-19-2006, 11:14 AM

How insensitive!

You OBVIOUSLY know nothing about it. For your information i'm currently under treatment thank you very much.

Dipstikk · #14 03-19-2006, 11:48 AM

Hey, my disorder doesn't prevent me from acting normal (to the extent one can be expected to act on the internet). You obviously don't know anything about self-control.

Take your meds before you interact, and stop blaming your actions on your disorder. The only thing I blame my disorder on are my invoulentary motor tics, which I honestly cannot help. (Hey, you think I ENJOY pumping the muscles in my shoulder? After 14 hours, it hurts!) The behavioral stuff, I blame on myself, and my lack of responsability in taking my medicine.

And try reading. Abe 01 asked if you COULD do anything about it, not that you should. He's not being insensitive, you're just being a prick.

Wired · #15 03-19-2006, 12:02 PM

Medicine? I take my fucking anti-anxiety medicine for your information. It helps to a certain degree, I'm no longer as paranoid as I was, but that isn't enough to treat my disorder; I need years of therapy and councelling. You know nothing about me, so don't make assumptions like that, prick.

Mojo · #16 03-19-2006, 12:09 PM

I thought it was an interesting article. Because I am currently studying cancer.
Anyways, Wired, because you are new, read DA RULES.

Dipstikk · #17 03-19-2006, 12:43 PM

Your MOMMA needs therapy.

Oh, no he di-in't!

Wired · #18 03-19-2006, 12:45 PM

*gave a members personal details out, which is seriously uncool folks* - Rich

Dipstikk · #19 03-19-2006, 12:46 PM

I think I just shit myself.

Rich · #20 03-19-2006, 12:49 PM

Wired, take that down now, or I will. I don't know how you know his details, but posting them here is a serious invasion of privacy, I'd warn you but this doesn't appear to be in the rules as an offense.

Wired · #21 03-19-2006, 12:56 PM

I do apologise, Matthew. I would never hunt you down or lick your toes or carress your curvy calf muscles or anything like that. And worry not, never will I reveal my source of your address or your address again.

Dipstikk · #22 03-19-2006, 12:58 PM

I don't know whether to cry or pleasure myself.

used:) · #23 03-19-2006, 01:01 PM

:

How insensitive!

You OBVIOUSLY know nothing about it. For your information i'm currently under treatment thank you very much.

And you obviously have no desire to try and improve yourself on these forums. I am sorry you have this condition, but don't expect the majority of us to be lenient if you HAVE an opportunity to solve the problems.

Wired · #24 03-19-2006, 01:31 PM

:

And you obviously have no desire to try and improve yourself on these forums. I am sorry you have this condition, but don't expect the majority of us to be lenient if you HAVE an opportunity to solve the problems.

How can you say that? Of course I'm trying to better myself on here! I apologised and owned up for my behaviour on account of my disorder and the other members started insulting and attacking me.

I do have an opportunity to solve the problem and I'm taking it. I take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicine everyday and I go to my psychiatrist twice a week. My medicine causes me to anger easily as a side effect, but most of the time I can control myself and my behaviour. I'm doing the best I can guys, trust me, its not easy having many different personalities, mood swings and chronic memory loss daily.

used:) · #25 03-19-2006, 04:51 PM

:

How can you say that? Of course I'm trying to better myself on here! I apologised and owned up for my behaviour on account of my disorder and the other members started insulting and attacking me.

I do have an opportunity to solve the problem and I'm taking it. I take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicine everyday and I go to my psychiatrist twice a week. My medicine causes me to anger easily as a side effect, but most of the time I can control myself and my behaviour. I'm doing the best I can guys, trust me, its not easy having many different personalities, mood swings and chronic memory loss daily.

Well now you could hgave stated that earlier on.

I suppose I am guilty for being too quick and uneasy with your behavior, it really did only prove my own ignorance about certain subjects, and I apologise for that. I just read your reply in another thread about your condition, I am glad you informed us on it, you shouldn't have anymore trouble from me at least.

Wired · #26 03-19-2006, 05:36 PM

I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Gabe. You truelly make me almost cry . . .

so few people understand my problem, making it only worse, so thank you for caring. Your open mind and acceptance is appreciated so much. If ya ever need anything atall, I got you're back. ^ _ ^

Facsimile · #27 03-19-2006, 08:47 PM

Hmm, another 'interesting' new character on the OWF. How does this place attract them?

Splat · #28 03-20-2006, 02:06 AM

No hard feelings dude, can't blame you for being ill. Just try and not post when you start feeling bad. You do seem like a sensible poster most of the time, but you don't want to waste that and get yourself banned before you can prove to us all how interesting you can be.

Anyway, i hope for future reference you can take in what i said, that wasn't the best opening to a thread we've ever had (though better than a lot of em!)

Anyway, remember this place is here for you to enjoy yourself, so try and remember that when you post! All will be well and good. And next time someone starts a flame war, if you have problems maybe just try and avoid the thread altogether after that.

Stay Odd dude

Mojo · #29 03-20-2006, 04:15 AM

So, this topic is no longer about cancer?
No?

Let's get back on topic then!

Has anyone ever lost someone to cancer? I did, I lost both my grandma and my grandpa. My grandpa passed away before I was born, and my grandma a few years ago. I think this disiease is a horrible one. We had a patient in class today, who suffered from Leukemia. The guy was all skinny, and bald by chemotherapy, but he was quite cheerful under it. It was an intense experience, and the man was really strong to act the way he did, while being so ill...

Munch's Master · #30 03-20-2006, 09:44 AM

Well my dad's cousin had treatment for throat cancer late last year and he seems to be absolutely fine now (Which his good. I don't really know him well but I do like him and he is a relative). It fortunately was only a benign tumour so he could have it operated for removal, but God knows what it'd be like if it was actual cancer.