The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks Essay

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Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2011).

Author’s Name: Rebecca Skloot – Publisher Course: Cell Biology Instructor: Dr. Hari Kotturi Due Date: May 1, 2024 Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2011) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2011) by Rebecca Skloot is an award-winning book depicting the beauty and the complexity of scientific discovery. The masterpiece has been recognized in notable awards such as the National Academies Best Book of the Year in 2011 and the Wellcome Trust Book Prize in 2010. In the book, Skloot (2011) recounts the story of Henrietta Lacks, an ordinary woman whose cells transformed medicine. The author discusses the ethical, racial, and legal issues associated with the use of Lacks’ cells, including the lack of remuneration for her family, and its implications on research and medical ethics. Reading the book provided …show more content…
Lacks, scientifically known as HeLa, was from a poor tobacco farmer family in the South, struggling on the land that had been labored by their ancestors as slaves for years. However, her accidental discovery in science went beyond that simple life. Without her proper approval, HeLa cells became the foundation of medical research, overcoming death by surviving in the culture for about six decades after her death. The book illustrates how HeLa cells made crucial contributions to the development of the polio vaccine and the subsequent revelations in cancer, virology, and the repercussions of atomic weaponry. They made great strides in reproductive technology, genetics, and cellular biology, leading to a substantial sector. Despite her pivotal role, HeLa remains obscure, laid to rest in an unmarked grave. It was not until more than two decades after her demise that her family learned of her immortal cellular legacy, as scientists ventured into HeLa research without their informed consent. Despite the commercialization of her
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