RWL’s Comments (group member since Oct 25, 2013)

RWL’s comments from the Region of Waterloo Library group.

It's a little disconcerting that they can take part of you without your permission.

That's an interesting perspective Christine! Did anyone else feel the same way?

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experiences and insight into what is a very difficult issue for many families.

That is a great question - was the Maltese falcon real? This website claims it was based on a ceremonial pouring vase: https://www.greathunt.com/TheBook/Cha...

Is Sam Spade a hero? How would you describe his personal moral code in a violent world?

Leanne wrote: "Detective novels aren't really my thing, but I have to admit I couldn't put this one down! That smooth Sam Spade... Until the very end, I couldn't figure out for the life of me whose side he was on..."

Is there something different about this detective novel that made it more appealing to you (once you read it)?

Christine wrote: "My copy on Overdrive expired before I was able to finish. I just rec'd it again yesterday. Hoping to finish it this weekend."

Once you do, feel free to keep commenting on this section! We'd love to hear your thoughts

If you need to find a copy of The Maltese Falcon, the library can help! http://goo.gl/VUqBWK

What did you think of The Maltese Falcon? How does it differ from more recent detective novel?

Heather wrote: "I think that Henrietta was very much a woman of her time. One didn't talk about their body and certainly didn't tell if they had cancer. 'That' part of her body was woman's business and was not ..."

What does everyone else think?

Consider the progression of Henrietta’s cancer in the last eight months between her diagnosis and death. How did she face death? What do you think that says about the type of person she was?

Religious faith and scientific understanding, while often at odds with each other, play important roles in the lives of the Lacks family. How does religious faith help frame the Lackses’ response to and interpretation of the scientific information they receive about HeLa? How does Skloot’s attitude toward religious faith and science evolve as a result of her relationship with the Lackses?

Leanne wrote: "I think if I were Deborah I would have some serious father issues! It didn't seem like she was overly resentful of her father, but not especially close to him either. But if it were me, I'd be aski..."

How do you think things would have play out if Deborah's father could have accessed the resources that exist now? Did his choices reflect a lack of care or a lack of options?

As much as this book is about Henrietta Lacks, it is also about Deborah learning of the mother she barely knew, while also
finding out the truth about her sister, Elsie. Imagine discovering similar information about one of your family members.
How would you react? What questions would you ask?

Heather wrote: "I started reading this last evening and find it very compelling. yes, there were lots of wrong things done, but I wonder, Henriette possibly would have said yes to donating her cells. My reason f..."

That's another interesting thought as well. It's easy to lose the patient when one is considering the ethics of the practice. How would you feel if you were in her position?

Christine wrote: "RWL wrote: "Christine wrote: "I'm only in part 2 so I haven't gotten to that part yet but I'll be honest that I have conflicting thoughts over the matter. It's terrible that she wasn't asked permis..."

It is a good (and disturbing) point that there were laws protecting research animals before humans. How do you think that came to be?

As much as this book is about Henrietta Lacks, it is also about Deborah learning of the mother she barely knew, while also finding out the truth about her sister, Elsie. Imagine discovering similar information about one of your family members.

How would you react? What questions would you ask?

Christine wrote: "I'm only in part 2 so I haven't gotten to that part yet but I'll be honest that I have conflicting thoughts over the matter. It's terrible that she wasn't asked permission before having her cells r..."

It does complicate things by the fact that so many medical discoveries have resulted from using those cells. It brings up the old question 'do the ends justify the means.' What are you thoughts on that point? Is it something that needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis?

YZ wrote: "This book really affected me. There is such a huge combination of race relations and lack of respect for patients, with physicians acting like gods. I cannot believe that Mrs. Lacks was the only in..."

The role race plays is interesting to consider. Do you think things would have been different if she were white? Do you think economic status could also have played a role?

What are the specific issues raised in the book—legally and ethically? Talk about the 1980s John Moore case: the appeal court decision and its reversal by the California Supreme Court.