The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Chapter 27 Summary & Analysis

In 1984, researchers begin to understand why Henrietta’s cells are immortal. A virologist named Harald zur Hausen discovers an STI called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), some strains of which may cause cervical cancer. HeLa tests positive for a strain called HPV-18. Rebecca explains that there are over one hundred strains of HPV, and that thirteen of these cause cancer. HPV-18 is one of the most virulent. This research eventually leads to an HPV vaccine.

In Henrietta’s case, HPV inserted itself into her DNA and turned off a gene that suppresses tumors. Scientists still don’t understand, however, why she then produced such virulent cells. Rebecca speaks to other researchers, none of whom can fully explain the growth of Henrietta’s cells.

Henrietta’s family, on the other hand, has many theories. Her sister Gladys believes that the cancer was an affliction to punish Henrietta for leaving Gladys to care for their elderly father. Cootie believes that spirits caused the disease. Sadie, meanwhile, wonders whether water from Turner Stationmight have infected Henrietta.

Rebecca recalls that every decade has made innovations due to HeLa. In the eighties, a molecular biologist named Richard Axel alters HeLa cells in order to make them susceptible to HIV, determining how exactly the virus attacks cells. This research attracts the eye of Jeremy Rifkin, an activist who believes that scientists should not be allowed to alter DNA. Rifkin eventually sues to stop Axel’s research, but the suit is dismissed.

Two other scientists begin to theorize that HeLa cells may no longer be human, arguing that they have gone through millions and billions of generations of cells since the first sample was taken. During this time, they assert, the cells have evolved.

Researchers begin to wonder whether HeLa cells may indeed contain clues about immortal life. Rebecca explains that normal human cells cannot grow indefinitely; they divide a set number of times and then die. From their HeLa research, scientists know that cancer cells can divide indefinitely. They connect this phenomenon to a section of the chromosome called the telomere, which shortens each time a cell divides. As cells become older, the telomeres become shorter, and the cell stops dividing. There is an enzyme called telomerase that rebuilds telomeres, however, and in the case of HeLa, telomerase constantly regenerates the telomeres of Henrietta’s chromosomes, enabling HeLa to outlive almost all other cells.