Questions About The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (18)

How appropriate is this book for an (academically advanced) middle school student? What should she watch out for (if anything)? Thanks!

Alix Wagner I am also a middle school student and reading this book. There is nothing too bad, but be warned.. it's very fascinating!…moreI am also a middle school student and reading this book. There is nothing too bad, but be warned.. it's very fascinating!(less)

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Still with Zacariah and his brother. Where's the money, Pfizer, Merck, etc. etc. Really... such landmark cells and these folks in Maryland and VA are still scraping?

Troy Not just scraping, but diseased. the family can't even get decent medical care!
…moreNot just scraping, but diseased. the family can't even get decent medical care!
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I hold deep concerns with a white woman telling the story of Henrietta & Henrietta's family & profiting off it. How has Skloot represented the people in this story? How does she weave her white bias & beliefs into this novel about the injustice against a black woman & her family? Did Skloot distribute any profits from this book to Henrietta's family or elsewhere?

Jamie My immediate reaction was also concern that a white woman was writing this. But, she does give a portion of book proceeds to a scholarship fund for de…moreMy immediate reaction was also concern that a white woman was writing this. But, she does give a portion of book proceeds to a scholarship fund for descendants of Henrietta. She keeps a respectable balance of opinion throughout, and the book is entirely centered on the family. It does not feel like a book where we are trying to be convinced of her opinion. Race is a major discussion point throughout and again it felt appropriately addressed. She was very mindful of her position throughout (less)

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Is any bothered by how little this book is actually about Henrietta? It's all about the reporter doing research for the book with some science and anecdotes in there. I'm not done yet and I am enjoying it, I just wish it had more about Henrietta herself. Does it get better?

Emily As you make your way through the book, you learn much more about Henrietta through the lens of her family. You get glimpses of Henrietta herself throu…moreAs you make your way through the book, you learn much more about Henrietta through the lens of her family. You get glimpses of Henrietta herself through their memories. It would have been incredible to find Henrietta's accounts of what was on her mind, how she felt. But due to the circumstances, that information isn't available.

I think maybe that's why it may initially feel imbalanced – because at first, all Skloot has is her research and science. But as the story progresses, she gets to know the family, and this is where it draws you in. It is complicated and heartbreaking.

The ethical dilemmas that unfold are what I found most compelling. By the end, you desperately want for the family to receive justice, compensation, recognition. Not only did Henrietta suffer, but generations of her family have suffered. And I think this one of the main points, in addition to recognizing Henrietta Lacks: to highlight the arrogance and selfishness of those who thought it was fine to use/sell her cells in the name of benefiting humanity, without ever making a good faith effort to help Henrietta's family.

So, all that is the long way of saying: Yes. To me, it had a slow start but it is absolutely worth reading to the end.(less)

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Are there anyone who started a campaign to bring those who profit from this poor black woman's cells taken illegally from her to give her descendants some of the billions they made? Was there any lawyer volunteers his time to start a lawsuit in behalf of her family against those who violated her right and human dignity? Are all lawyers in same league with prostitute and thieves?

Nullifidian Nothing was taken from her "illegally". She was at Johns Hopkins for the purpose of having the cancerous growths removed. And while one might argue th…moreNothing was taken from her "illegally". She was at Johns Hopkins for the purpose of having the cancerous growths removed. And while one might argue that she could consent to have her cancer excised without consenting to have her cells cultured, the law at the time didn't recognize this distinction. What her doctors did was perfectly legal back then and, contrary to the repeated implications of this book, didn't net them a single dime by way of remuneration.

As for the pharmaceutical industry as a whole, the HeLa cells are a potential resource (although these days they're laboratory pests that are more likely to contaminate cell lines than be used by pharmaceutical researchers), but they aren't the medications themselves, so should they also agree to share profits with the seaweed farmers whose products may be used to make agar, a common biological culture medium? What about the companies that manufacture Petri dishes? Pipettes? And not much could be done if they couldn't keep the lights on, so should the local utility company get its share of the profits? Granted, it may feel like human cells are more immediate than any of these things, but personal feelings and emotional responses are a poor basis for making legal decisions.(less)

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