Author: Rebecca Skloot
Henrietta Lacks, the woman who never knew she had impacted science in such away that has pioneered vaccines and so on. She was simply known by the scientific community as HeLa the ‘immortal cells’. Her story has not been told in such away that described the woman who pioneered the world before this account that we have by Rebecca Skloot. Henrietta’s family was not aware that her cells had been siphoned to further science but never to the benefit or assist the family generations later.
Skloot tells the story of Henrietta, how she grew up, and how her family came to be in Baltimore where her cells would be harvested. While we almost never think of how we get the medicines and vaccines that we use today. Or even the impact that they may have had on the people taken from, we get to see a small glimpse through Henrietta’s story, her pain, and her breakthroughs in Medicine. Skloot tells her journey encountering people that were in Henietta’s life and her journey. I felt a little robbed as I thought this book would be more oriented on the life of the woman who made the largest contribution to science possible. It fell flat for me in this regard of her background. Skloot did mention stories in relation to other family members specifically Henrietta's daughter Debra whom provide a large part of this book.. It’s possible that this was all that could be garnered from this woman’s life therefore not pushed to the forefront of the books topic.
I tried to take away as much as possible from this book and the life of Henrietta Lacks. The research that was done and the way it was done was abysmal. My emotions while reading got the better of my logical, scientific thought process. Research during this time performed some of the most vile acts towards people in the name of science. Skloot pointed out the practices that some of the doctors used to do studies without the patient's consent. She referred to the Nuremberg trials which pointed out the atrocities that transpired due to the Nazi’s in Germany towards the Jewish communities. This trickled over to the United States. Ethics came into play when 3 Jewish researches refused to perform test on unknowing subjects. It's such a scary thought that until then it was easy for a doctor or research could do as they please with your biological material at anytime. Unfortunately this was the standard at that time. The other unfortunate fact is Henrietta was amisdiagnose. Such a sad and unfortunate experience
Henrietta would never know/receive her just due for her role however unwitting in the evolution of science. Her infamous cells are everywhere and used for everything just about every type of research. What I will say, I really wanted to see what the family received out of this process and how this would benefit and better their lives. Skloot has created a foundation in support of The Lacks Family known as the Henrietta Lacks Foundation. This foundation helps some who has been affected by the research done to them or family members.The Lacks Family has also sought compensation via legal procedures to be the executors of her cells therefore receiving benefits from the capitilization made off of Henrietta’s cells. So far Johns Hopkins has not agreed and some other entities that have benefited have either. I would hope the family is properly compensated and the memory as well as Legacy is honored properly.
All in all, Rebecca Skloot’s telling of Henrietta’s story has shed some light on the familes struggles and scienece advacncedments. I would hope in the future we look at Henrietta’s story and think of the family as much as we thought of the science. My personal opinion would be to read this book and I urge everyone to do their own research to support the Lacks Family directly.
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Most of my information in regards to the book or mentions by the author are below:
Henrietta Lacks Foundation™. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"Lacks Family." Lacks Family Website. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
McDaniels, Andrea K. "Henrietta Lacks's Family Wants Compensation for Her Cells." The Washington Post. WP Company, 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"The Nuremberg Trials." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"Rebecca Skloot Journalist, Teacher, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." Rebecca Skloot. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
