From the Bookshelf of Reading List Completists…

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

Start date: August 1, 2018

Finish date: August 31, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: Completest Group Read for August 2018
[close] Completest Group Read for August 2018

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What Members Thought

Aug 09, 2018 Matthew rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, digital, library, 2018, non-fiction

This is a very powerful and informative story. Also, with the history of personal freedoms, civil rights, and right to privacy/requiring consent, this is a very important books. I am not sure the details about the science involved in the story will appeal to all. Just the same as how those who are here for the science may be disinterested in the background stories of the people involved. But, if you think you will like one of the other, I don’t think the one you don’t care for will be distractin This is a very powerful and informative story. Also, with the history of personal freedoms, civil rights, and right to privacy/requiring consent, this is a very important books. I am not sure the details about the science involved in the story will appeal to all. Just the same as how those who are here for the science may be disinterested in the background stories of the people involved. But, if you think you will like one of the other, I don’t think the one you don’t care for will be distracting.

With that in mind, I will continue with the statement that it really is two books: the science and the people. First, the background of cell and tissue research in the last 100 years is intriguing and to hear about all of the advances and why Henretta Lacks was key to them is fascinating. Second, the background of not only the Lacks family, but also others who have had their tissues/cells used for research without permission, gives a lot of food for thought. Almost every medical advancement, and many scientific advancements, in the past 60 years are because of Henrietta Lacks. But, questions about the consent she gave, what she understood about her cells being used, and how much the family has benefited are all questioned and discussed. It really hits hard to think that you may have no control over parts of you once they are no longer part of your body. Also, the fiscal and research ramifications of giving people more rights over their body tissue/cells really creates a huge Catch-22. As I had surgery earlier this year that involved some tissue being removed for analysis, it started to make me wonder what I signed on all those forms and if my cells might still be out there being used for research.

The only part of the book that kind of dragged for me was the time that the author spent with the family late in the book. After listening to an interview with the author it was surprising to hear that this part of the book may have been her original focus (how the family has dealt with the revelations surrounding the use of their mother’s cells), but to me it kind of dragged and got repetitive. I don’t think it is bad and others may find it interesting, it just was what brought down my interest in the story a little bit.

If you like science-based stories, medical-based stories, civil/personal rights history, and/or just love a decent non-fiction, I think this book is very worth checking out.
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162 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2015 Valerie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club, z-2015ufafall

This was a wonderful combination of scientific book and human interest story. Ms. Skloot explains the history and impact of using cell cultures for medical advancement within the context of the humanity behind the cells. She accomplishes this by telling the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family, the donor of the ground breaking HeLa cells that fuel this research today.

The science behind the HeLa cells is as interesting and inspirational as the stories of her family are heart breaking. Clearly, ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2016 Jess Penhallow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: usa, 21st-century, 1940s, 1960s, 1950s

This is a very important book for any scientist who works with people (or parts of people). We always need to ensure that the needs of our participants are put first and that they have a complete understanding of what they are taking part in particularly those in often neglected communities.

This book really affected me and I highly recommend it.

5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This is the first review I'm writing where I have so much to say but don't know what to say at the same time. The book wasn't just about Henrietta Lacks (although everyone on the planet should know who she is and we should all be grateful to her). It was about science..medical science specifically. Using people's tissues and cells to further science even more specifically.

Instead of using my words to persuade people to read this, I'm going let the book speak for itself:

"How you should fell abou ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2016 Pianogirl rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, history, science

Henrietta's story and cells are incredibly interesting. The book was good but I felt like it could've gone much deeper into details of both her life and some of the contributions her cells made to science. The book was, especially the latter half, much more about the author's journey in writing the book than Henrietta or the cells. In any case, the book made me contemplate tissue "donations" and experimentations. ...more

1 like · Like · see review