#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.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, written by Rebecca Skloot, is an acclaimed nonfiction book that delves into the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent and used for groundbreaking medical research. The book explores the ethical implications of this scientific advancement, the impact on Henrietta's family, and the legacy of her cells, known as HeLa cells, which have played a crucial role in modern medicine.
Key Points:
- Henrietta Lacks: The narrative revolves around Henrietta Lacks, a tobacco farmer from Virginia who unknowingly contributed to medical history. In 1951, a sample of her cervical cancer cells was taken for research, leading to the development of the HeLa cell line.
- HeLa Cells: These immortalized cells, named after Henrietta Lacks, have been extensively used in medical research, contributing to advancements in areas such as cancer, AIDS, and vaccines, making them some of the most important cells in medical history.
- Consent and Ethics: The book raises important questions about informed consent and the ethical implications of using human tissue for research, particularly in cases where the individual is unaware or lacks the capacity to provide consent.
- Family's Perspective: Rebecca Skloot, the author, delves into the story through extensive interviews with Henrietta Lacks' family members, shedding light on their struggle to understand the significance of HeLa cells and the impact it had on their lives.
- Legacy: Henrietta Lacks' story highlights the unsung heroes of medical research and the sacrifices made by individuals and communities in the pursuit of scientific progress.
Significance:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has sparked discussions about informed consent, patient rights, and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of individuals in medical research. It also sheds light on the complex relationship between science and society, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical considerations in scientific endeavors.
As a Reader:
When you read this book, you'll embark on a journey that goes beyond the boundaries of medicine. You'll explore the intersections of science, ethics, and the human experience. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a testament to the power of storytelling in illuminating important social and historical issues.
