Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and used for medical research. Her cells, which became known as HeLa Cells, reproduced at an astonishing rate and were sold to laboratories all over the world. This book tells the story of Henrietta Lacks’ life, how her cells came to be so valuable, and the impact they’ve had on modern medicine.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone interested in science, medicine, African American history, or the ethical implications of medical research.
Pros :
- The author does an excellent job of balancing the science with the human story.
- The book is well researched and thoroughly documented.
- It raises important ethical questions about medical research
Cons :
- Hard to read due to scientific jargon
- Death of Henrietta not covered until end of book
- Could have been more concise
Learn more about the author
Rebecca Skloot is a science writer and the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. She has written for magazines including Popular Science, Ode, and Salon, and her work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Granta, and on public radio’s “This American Life.”.
Reader Reviews
“Absolutely phenomenal book. I could not put it down.”
“This is a phenomenal book. It tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent and used for medical research, and the impact they’ve had on modern medicine. Beautifully written and meticulously researched, it’s impossible to put down.”
“A fascinating, moving tale of science and society”
“A fascinating, heartbreaking story.”
