![]() Critics and readers alike raved about the book’s compelling subject matter and the questions it raises about medical ethics, race, and the nature of immortality. It remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 75 weeks and occupied the number one spot for a major portion of that time. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was published to critical acclaim in 2010. ![]() The end product of Skloot’s research, interviews, and investigation is the book. The desire to learn about Henrietta resulted in a decade-long research project, one that drew in Henrietta’s family, the institutions who took advantage of Henrietta, and the numerous scientists who used her cells. While the lecturer’s focus was on the scientific achievements and medical breakthroughs Henrietta’s cells facilitated, Skloot was drawn to the woman herself-who was she? Did she know how important her cells were? What about her family? The professor didn’t have any answers for Skloot, and this fueled her interest even further. Skloot first learned about Henrietta when a biology professor passingly mentioned her during a lecture about the importance and impact of the HeLa cell line. However, Henrietta's surviving descendants continue to live in poverty despite their connection to these scientific breakthroughs. ![]() ![]() These cells, known as the HeLa line, became the cornerstone for scientific research for much of the late 20th century. Lacks, a tobacco farmer from Virginia, died in 1951 from cervical cancer, but not before her cells were harvested without her knowledge or consent for scientific and medical use. Blending the line between nonfiction and narrative, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacksis the story of Henrietta Lacks, her family, and the reporter who sought to uncover her story. Join in, in the comments every week! At the end, we’ll have a book club discussion via video chat! Also, there will probably be spoilers.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is the first and bestselling book by science journalist Rebecca Skloot. Then, we’ll use one more Monday to talk about general feelings from the book and anything else you’d like to discuss. We will talk about several chapters each Monday until the book is done (probably about three chapters since the book has so many). If you’re just joining us, here are some logistics: Thanks for joining us for Chapters 13-15 of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot! Join in next Monday for Chapters 16-18. I will just add a trigger warning for its content. I’m not going to discuss this chapter in much detail. This fact definitely makes me wonder whether the scientists and physicians are trying to protect Henrietta or themselves.Ĭhapter 15. Granted…these are the same physicians who took cells from Henrietta without asking her first. The press insists that allowing her name to be published brings “basic human interest elements” to the story of the woman behind the cells and the advancements the cells are creating in science and medicine…though I have to agree with the physicians that leaking her name without permission is an infringement on the privacy of her family. Once private information, Henrietta’s name is eventually leaked to the press, although incorrectly. This chapter delves into the name behind the cells. “HeLa was a workhorse: it was hardy, it was inexpensive, and it was everywhere.” A polio vaccine, shipping of cells, the field of virology, standardization of culture media and tissue culture equipment, human genetics, and so much more experienced huge advancements during this time thanks to HeLa. The mass production of HeLa cells led to so much scientific advancement, this chapter just barely touches on some of them. The HeLa Factory and How It Changed the World would be a better name for this chapter. Welcome to the comments and discussion of the Young Adult Cancer Book Club! We are reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot! Catch up on Chapters 1-3, Chapters 4-6, Chapters 7-9, and Chapters 10-12. ![]()
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