Roland Patillo

Roland Pattillo grew up in the 1930s in a simple town located in Louisiana. He was the son of a blacksmith. However, He graduated from Xavier University of Lousiana with a pre-med degree, and received a scholarship to attend medical school at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied under George Gey. Pattillo's career was driven by his experience with Henrietta Lack’s. After her death, he purchased her headstone, and became close to her family, serving as a intermediary between them and the researchers and journalists who wished to contact them. He then took over Gey's reproductive tract cell bank, moving it from Johns Hopkins to Morehouse School of Medicine. After 20 years of research and dedicated work he retired from his position at Morehouse in 2013.

Following quote from David Korn, vice provost for research at Harvard University: “I think people are morally obligated to allow their bits and pieces to be used to advance knowledge to help others. Since everybody benefits, everybody can accept the small risks of having their tissue scraps used in research.”My name is Rolland Patillo and I am rather disgusted at this assumption. 
- Every living human has the willing choice to participate in science. They do not have to nor should everyone be expected to. Also, when someone does help science we must demonstrate our gratitude. Again, they did not have to and we are very fortunate to have people help us in this manner. When people help the scientific field it is then our job to help them. This act should not go unnoticed. These are important contributions to science and we shall not take advantage of or exploit anyone. 

Tweets
The purpose of these tweets was to approach social media just as Roland Patillo would. There was much thought and meaning behind every tweet. I started off as announcing the beginning of Roland Patillos career working under George Gey. I then elevated to conversations with Rebecca Skloot and his concern/protection for the Lacks family. Along the way I made sure to provide informative articles on Morehouse School of Medicine and the HeLa cells. These articles are beneficial to see the effects of the HeLa cells and how they have improved medicine and science. The main goal of every tweet was to be in the mind set of Patillo and if I were to follow his twitter account, it would lok similar to one that I have produced. 

It is an honor to be one of the few African Americans to study along side George Gey. #NHSHenrietta

Just got of he phone with Rebecca and had a professional conversation on the mistreatment of African Americans in science #NHSHenrietta

I am suspicious of Rebecca Skloot and her intentions however after many conversations I am becoming hopeful.. #NhSHenrietta

Everyday is another dad closer to the next HeLa Cancer Control Symposium, held at Morehouse College. #Countdown #NHSHenrietta

I hope everyone knows the protection i have over the lacks family and can understand the amount of respect they deserve #NHSHenrietta

The Lacks family has furthered the scientific field is many ways. For this I pay my respects to their bravery. #NHSHenrietta

For more information on my scientific career or the Morehouse School of Medicine,Please check this out #NHSHenrietta http://www.msm.edu/about_us/FacultyDirectory/ObstetricsGynecology/RolandPattillo/index.php …

HeLa cells can be used to further development in many cancers.Check out this article to see its impact #NHSHenrietta

#Throwback to the first HeLa Cancer Control Symposium when I invited Deborah and Zakarriyya as my special guests. #science #NHSHenrietta

Rebecca Skloot has really impressed me as an individual. I am certain that her intentions are for the good! #SayHello #NHSHenrietta

Helping those who made important contributions to scientific research without personally benefiting from the contributions. #NHSHenrietta

The purpose of The Henrietta Lacks Foundations is to help those who have helped us. http://henriettalacksfoundation.org  #NHSHenrietta

I agree with Skloot in, "The Lackses challenged everything I thought I knew about faith, science, journalism, and race."(7) #NHSHenrietta

"Everything always just about the cells and don’t even worry about her name and was HeLa even a person" (Skloot, 52) #NHSHenrietta

We hope to learn many things & further the scientific field with the precious HeLA cells given by the amazing Henrietta Lacks #NHSHenrietta

We must at least do something! They are the ones that have helped us!Why should they not get special treatment for their help? #NHSHenrietta

We must protect the people who have helped us to further science. This is just wrong. #Takeastand #NHSHenrietta

Citation:

Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway, 2017. Print.