Synopsis Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Immortal cells taken by a patient without their consent changed the medical world drastically. Not only was the polio vaccine influenced because of the HeLa cells, but research was also enhanced for cures on different illnesses around the world. How can what seems so unethical turn to be entirely beneficial to our world and our generation? The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks opens up the process of how these famous HeLa cells were discovered, and the story of the woman behind them. It reveals her family’s side of the story and the debate on whether the discovery of HeLa was for profit or altruistic reasons.
Henrietta Lacks always felt like there was something wrong with her. She literally felt like there was a knot in her gut, and all along she was right; there was something horribly wrong with her. She had cancer and it wasn’t long until she grew tumors in various parts of her body. She attended John Hopkins hospital for treatments of radium. During several visits and treatments, small tissue pieces were collected. Not only did doctors take two dime sized pieces of her cervical tissue from her, but also they took them without any consent. Rebecca Skloot, the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks exposes the history of HeLa, but also the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family. The story examines the HeLa cells discovery, and the ethical debate about taking any body products or parts without consent of the patient. The researchers who wanted the immortal cells wanted it for the reasons to cure cancer. The author goes in great detail about the laws in 1950’s, and that there were none regarding researching without consent. The author argues that the country has always been market based, and that it always will be. Products of all kinds will always be bought and sold. Rebecca Skloot went into great search for Henrietta’s family. She wanted to uncover the woman behind the cells by getting both sides of
Immortal cells taken by a patient without their consent changed the medical world drastically. Not only was the polio vaccine influenced because of the HeLa cells, but research was also enhanced for cures on different illnesses around the world. How can what seems so unethical turn to be entirely beneficial to our world and our generation? The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks opens up the process of how these famous HeLa cells were discovered, and the story of the woman behind them. It reveals her family’s side of the story and the debate on whether the discovery of HeLa was for profit or altruistic reasons.
Henrietta Lacks always felt like there was something wrong with her. She literally felt like there was a knot in her gut, and all along she was right; there was something horribly wrong with her. She had cancer and it wasn’t long until she grew tumors in various parts of her body. She attended John Hopkins hospital for treatments of radium. During several visits and treatments, small tissue pieces were collected. Not only did doctors take two dime sized pieces of her cervical tissue from her, but also they took them without any consent. Rebecca Skloot, the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks exposes the history of HeLa, but also the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family. The story examines the HeLa cells discovery, and the ethical debate about taking any body products or parts without consent of the patient. The researchers who wanted the immortal cells wanted it for the reasons to cure cancer. The author goes in great detail about the laws in 1950’s, and that there were none regarding researching without consent. The author argues that the country has always been market based, and that it always will be. Products of all kinds will always be bought and sold. Rebecca Skloot went into great search for Henrietta’s family. She wanted to uncover the woman behind the cells by getting both sides of
Cited: Rebecca Skloot. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2010.