Henrietta Lacks: 'The Way Of All Flesh'

In class we were instructed to watch the 1997 Documentary on Henrietta Lacks, “The Way of All Flesh” that was directed by Adam Curtis and produced by Joe Duplantier. This documentary highlights the importance of Henrietta Lack’s cells in the science community and how they impacted the research that was being done on cancer cells.
Henrietta Lack’s was a female African American who suffered from cervical cancer. She was one of the patients being treated by Dr. Guy and unfortunately she ended up passing away. Once Henrietta passed away, her cells were taken without any consent from her family and research was done on them to help scientists understand the nature of cancer and cancer cells to a new level. Henrietta’s cells were unique to scientists because not only were they one of the only cells that they have seen that appeared to be purple in color, but they were also the first cells that could replicate themselves outside of the human body. This documentary first introduces Henrietta Lacks as a cancer patient, along with …show more content…
Even with all the technology advances, cancer is still a complicated and complex illness that even scientists don’t fully understand to this day. Overall, I really enjoyed this film and learning about the significance of HeLa cells on medical research being done involving cancer. The HeLa cells are now being recognized as belonging to Henrietta Lack’s and in order to use HeLa cells for research today, you have to sign consent forms prior to the use of the cells. Henrietta Lack’s is finally getting the recognition she deserves for the significance that her cells have played in the scientific