On 26/07/2006, at 11:32 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I would think that by the standard definition of a species a cell line
cannot qualify. A species is a group of individuals who can or do
interbreed. I
don't know how a cell culture can qualify a species.
They're free living (on culture plates...) partially motile cells
which reproduce by binary fission. They form a distinct group, and
they breed true, without the telomere shortening that ends most cell
lines. They're aggressive and robust. That's why it was proposed that
they could constitute a species.
I don't agree with it, but I understand the reasoning. I'll make it
clear that there is only really one scientist who seriously proposes
the species concept of HeLa. And he's not me. :)
Charlie
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