Adam Curtis | The Way of All Flesh | (1997)

Adam Curtis playlists:

Miscellaneous https://rumble.com/playlists/H5NqdFg4G4U

Can't Get You Out Of My Head | (2021) https://rumble.com/playlists/dfM0eugWsFI

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace | (2011) https://rumble.com/playlists/UEeqeUNA5tM

Russia 1985-1999 TraumaZone | (2022) https://rumble.com/playlists/I12Kd8gTf8A

The Way of All Flesh tells the remarkable story of Henrietta Lacks and the profound impact her cells have had on modern medicine. Directed by Adam Curtis, it traces the journey of Lacks, an African American woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951, and the extraordinary legacy of her cells, known as HeLa cells.
Before her death, scientists removed cells from Lacks’ body and cultivated them in a laboratory, hoping to find a cure for cancer. What they discovered was astonishing: the cells continued to grow and multiply in ways they couldn’t control. This unique characteristic of the HeLa cells led to numerous breakthroughs in medical research.
The film highlights how these cells transformed modern medicine, playing a crucial role in the development of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk. As demand for the cells skyrocketed, they were put into mass production, becoming an invaluable resource for scientific research.
Curtis’s documentary goes beyond the scientific implications, delving into the political and social ramifications of the HeLa cells. It reveals how they became entangled in the politics of the era, influencing the policies of countries and presidents, and even playing a role in the Cold War.
The film also sheds light on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of Lacks’ cells. It addresses the fact that her family remained unrecognized for decades, despite the immense contribution of their deceased relative to medical science. This aspect of the story raises important questions about consent, ownership, and recognition in scientific research.
Through archival footage and interviews, the documentary paints a complex picture of how one woman’s cells inadvertently shaped the course of modern medicine, while also becoming embroiled in the broader sociopolitical landscape of the 20th century.