The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: A Remarkable Story of Medical Discovery and Human Exploitation

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a powerful and moving account of the life of an African American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal cell line, which has led to countless medical breakthroughs. This book explores the ethical and social implications of this discovery, and the complex legacy of Henrietta Lacks and her family.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6908 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	393 pages

FREE

The Story of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was born in 1920 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was a poor black woman who worked as a tobacco farmer and sharecropper. In 1951, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and was treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. During her treatment, a sample of her cervical tissue was taken without her consent and used to create the first immortal cell line, known as HeLa cells.

HeLa cells have been used in countless medical research projects, leading to the development of new vaccines, drugs, and treatments for cancer, AIDS, and other diseases. However, Henrietta Lacks herself never received any compensation for her contribution to medical science. She died in 1951, just a few months after her cells were taken.

The Ethical Implications of Henrietta Lacks' Story

The story of Henrietta Lacks raises important ethical questions about the use of human tissue in medical research. Without her consent, her cells were taken and used to create a cell line that has generated billions of dollars in profits. Her family has never received any compensation for this, and they have had to deal with the emotional and psychological impact of her death.

The case of Henrietta Lacks has led to a debate about the need for informed consent in medical research. It has also raised questions about the rights of patients, particularly those from marginalized communities, who are often vulnerable to exploitation.

The Legacy of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks' legacy is a complex one. She is remembered as a victim of medical exploitation, but she is also celebrated as a pioneer in medical research. Her cells have made an invaluable contribution to the fight against disease, and her story has inspired others to fight for justice and equality.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a powerful and moving account of Henrietta Lacks' life and legacy. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Additional Resources

• The Henrietta Lacks Foundation
• The Henrietta Lacks Story
• Henrietta Lacks' Immortal Legacy

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6908 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	393 pages

FREE