Going out on a limb, I’m off onto a completely different tangent today. Whilst reading ‘The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks’ by Rebecca Skloot, it crossed my mind that HeLa cells, derived from a cancer patient named Henrietta Lacks, have had the greatest singular impact on scientific progress and medical advances in human history. Arguably, no other individual has ultimately been responsible for generating so much benefit to so many, with so little recognition for their role.
Yet, these cells were not taken with her permission, and with regard to the patient and her family, certainly not for this purpose. Furthermore, not only did she not derive any benefit from this action herself, nor have her descendants and the toll which these cells have taken upon her family has been immeasurable. But perhaps there can be a silver lining to the tale of familial tragedy in this history. Why should Henrietta Lacks not be canonised by the Roman Catholic Church as a patron saint of healthcare and medicine for the poor and needy?
Miracles: (Of which there are many, but a few spring to mind)
1. Tissue culture technique is the main stay of medical research enabling initial research to answer basic questions about biology to better direct further research towards novel therapeutic strategies. HeLa cells were the first human derived cell line to be successfully maintained in culture and the result of which has been innumerable advances in medical science.
2. Use of HeLa cells were integral in polio research, and were ultimately used as a cellular factory involved in the production process of the vaccine which resulted in the prevention of disease and improved health for millions of people. How can this not be viewed as a miracle?
3. HeLa cells enabled scientists to answer basic questions about cancer biology such as identification of driver mutations and explaining cellular immortalisation which had previously remained unresolved.
For these reasons alone, I feel that what might represent an appropriate strategy to address the lack of recognition to Henrietta Lacks for her contribution to science and humanity would be to appeal to the Catholic Church for her canonisation and to recognise her as a saint.
Both the Christian church and the medical profession attempt to heal and help the sick. Where medical therapies treat the body, the church acts to treat the spirit; furthermore it has long been observed that humour and optimism enhance healing and recovery. But in more modern times, whilst it is common for hospitals to be named for saints and retain historical association with the church, there is otherwise little common ground associating the two.
And whilst I believe that both truly intend to assist humanity, over the years neither have been without fault; e.g. the holy inquisition by the Catholic Church and a cavalier disregard for individual awareness regarding use of organs, body and tissue by medical research before review and oversight committees enforced ethical review processes. Finally, there has long been opposition and distrust between the Catholic Church and scientific progress.
So perhaps the canonisation of Henrietta Lacks might offer the potential for the combined acknowledgement of an individual and the benefits of medical research in a collective effort to redress a historical tragedy.
This might also enable the church and medical science to reconcile some of their disparate views. And as a result, perhaps the next ‘miracle’ of HeLa cells might be to enable a marriage of sorts between the Catholic Church and scientific progress. That would be a miracle!
So I argue for the case of canonisation of Henrietta Lacks as a modern patron saint of the sick and needy.
If you agree with my argument, please spread the word and help turn this from speculation into reality!
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