The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

       If you are in need of a fascinating and non-fiction science novel, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is the book for you. Over these past months, my AP Biology teammates and I have been reading the book and I have really enjoyed the story. Written by Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks starts in the 1950s and follows the life of Henrietta Lacks and her cells, now known as HeLa cells. Henrietta was a patient at Johns Hopkins and had cervical cancer. While a patient, the doctors at the hospital took a piece of Henrietta’s cancer cells without fully disclosing to her what they were doing and why. These cells went on to make history by helping scientists worldwide discover cures to diseases and save lives.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

       The story also entails the lives of her children growing up and as adults. Growing up without a mother, Henrietta’s children were alone, and their father was not around much, leaving them somewhat damaged and afraid to trust others. When Rebecca Skloot first began conducting researching on the story and the Lacks family, the children were especially reluctant to speak with Rebecca. The family also had never been told what happened to Henrietta and that her cells were famous as it was not mandatory nor common practice for doctors to fully disclose details to patients and their families at the time. However, one of Henrietta’s daughters, Deborah, eventually helped the author collect research about Henrietta’s life and medical records.

       I loved reading about Deborah and Rebecca’s adventures and road to justice. Yes, Henrietta’s children never quite got the recognition and benefits that they deserved from Henrietta’s contribution to science, but the story behind it all was beautiful. One of my favorite moments in the book was when Rebecca gave the colored image of Henrietta’s cells to Deborah and Zakariyya, one of Henrietta’s sons, and Zakariyya cried. This moment to me represented Deborah and Zakariyya finally getting to meet and connect with their mom. They had never fully understood the power and impact their mom’s cells had made, so being able to see the beautiful and colorful cells deeply moved them.

 A colored image of HeLa cells

       The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks raised many questions and issues in regards to ethics and right versus wrong. The doctors who took Henrietta’s cells did it without her permission and without informing the rest of her family. However, the HeLa cells went on to significantly benefit science and people worldwide. While I am unsure yet if I believe the Lacks family got the closure and justice they deserved, I do believe that their story helped change the world for science and ethics. Now doctors have to disclose all details to patients and must have consent from them.

       Additionally, I admired the work of the author. She never gave up her dream to write the story about Henrietta and her cells even when the Lacks family refused to talk to her. She persisted not for herself, but for the Lacks family. Her motives were selfless. Rebecca created a beautiful novel that should be shared within the scientific community and beyond.

 Author Rebecca Skloot

Works Cited

Bing, Microsoft, http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=RqFdunq6&id=36629DEC06F93F71A380000D6C84CB01496C8EB7&thid=OIP.RqFdunq6Z98IHGwB-7r7oAHaF3&mediaurl=media4.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2017_15/1962911/20_hela_cells_1_photocredit_tom_deerinck_1_17056e1d98e7cc7bd3839bb9ab8d150b.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000.jpg&exph=1000&expw=1262&q=hela+cells&simid=608019183706573116&selectedIndex=3&ajaxhist=0.

“Rebecca Skloot Journalist, Teacher, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Rebecca Skloot The Immortal Life Comments, rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/.

“Rebecca Skloot Journalist, Teacher, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Rebecca Skloot The Immortal Life Comments, rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/.