#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The story of modern medicine and bioethics—and, indeed, race relations—is refracted beautifully, and movingly.”—Entertainment WeeklyNOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM HBO® STARRING OPRAH WINFREY AND ROSE BYRNE • ONE OF THE “MOST INFLUENTIAL” (CNN), “DEFINING” (LITHUB), AND “BEST” (THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER) BOOKS OF THE DECADE • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS • WINNER OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE HEARTLAND PRIZE FOR NONFICTIONNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Entertainment Weekly • O: The Oprah Magazine • NPR • Financial Times • New York • Independent (U.K.) • Times (U.K.) • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Globe and MailHer name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine: The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, which are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.Henrietta’s family did not learn of her “immortality” until more than twenty years after her death, when scientists investigating HeLa began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. And though the cells had launched a multimillion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, her family never saw any of the profits. As Rebecca Skloot so brilliantly shows, the story of the Lacks family—past and present—is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of. Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family—especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance? Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down,
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.
In the realm of medical history, the name Henrietta Lacks stands as a poignant reminder of the extraordinary impact a single life can have on scientific advancements. The book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot delves into the fascinating and often unsettling story of Henrietta's cells, known as HeLa cells, which revolutionized the field of medical research.
Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman who, in 1951, unknowingly became a part of medical history when a sample of her cervical cancer cells was taken without her consent. These cells, later dubbed HeLa cells, possessed a unique ability to grow and divide indefinitely in laboratory conditions, making them an invaluable tool for scientific research. HeLa cells have contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as cancer biology, virology, and gene mapping, leading to advancements in vaccines, chemotherapy, and countless other medical treatments.
While HeLa cells brought immense benefits to medical science, the story behind their acquisition is marred by ethical questions and controversies. Skloot's book delves into the complex relationship between Henrietta Lacks and the medical establishment, highlighting the lack of informed consent, exploitation, and racial disparities that characterized the early days of medical research. The book sheds light on the unrecognized contributions of Henrietta Lacks and her family, who were never compensated for the use of her cells or informed about their far-reaching impact.
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of informed consent, patient autonomy, and the ethical considerations surrounding medical research. It raises questions about the ownership of biological materials, the rights of research participants, and the need for transparency and accountability in scientific practices. Skloot's compassionate and meticulous storytelling brings to life the human narratives behind the scientific breakthroughs, emphasizing the intertwined nature of medical progress and social justice.
By delving into the intricate story of Henrietta Lacks and her HeLa cells, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical complexities, historical context, and human consequences that often accompany medical advancements. It serves as a compelling narrative that challenges readers to reflect on the balance between scientific progress and the rights and dignity of individuals.
