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Summary:
Henrietta Lacks is a poor black woman who goes to John Hopkins Hospital in 1951 for treatment of cervical cancer. Before she dies, a surgeon takes samples of her tumor. Those cells became the first immortal human cells ever grown in a lab. These cells known as HeLa cells, were sold around the world to other scientists, researchers, and doctors, and were one of the most important things that happened to medicine in the last one hundred years. Her cells went on to become part of groundbreaking research into such studies as leukemia, cancer, herpes, influenza, polio, hemophilia, Parkinson's Disease and more. This true story sounds wonderful until you realize that an injustice was done to Henrietta and her family. Henrietta did not give consent for her cells to be taken and used by the doctors, and until many years later none of her family was aware of the action taken much less the significance and fame which came about from the use of those cells.
Comments:
In portions of this book we experienced kindred feelings with the subjects as they expressed anger and frustration at the inequities and injustices dealt to them because of their social and economic class. It was especially infuriating and heartbreaking for us to learn of the mistreatment of Henrietta's mentally challenged daughter and the many other patients who were institutionalized at that time. There were a few bright spots in this story. One man in particular, researcher Christoph Lengauer, treated Deborah and her family with respect and compassion.
Author Rebecca Skloot spent years researching this fascinating story and familiarizing herself with Henrietta's family. She displayed the patience of Job where it concerned developing a relationship with Henrietta's daughter and her other family members. That long quest equated to a long book. Thoroughly researched and thoroughly reported! The author's quest was well-rewarded as she not only shared with the world a compelling story, but she became accepted and loved among Henrietta's family. The following scene sums up well the connection and impact Rebecca had on the Lacks family: One Sunday Deborah's congregation sang, "Stand by me, while I run this race, for I don't want to run this race in vain." Her preacher husband, Pullum, pointed at Rebecca and yelled, "Come stand by me!" Rebecca had truly stood by the Lacks family and ran the race with them to see their mother recognized for what she had unknowingly contributed. Pullum later pointed to Deborah's granddaughter, sitting in her grandmother's lap in the pew, and yelled, "This child will someday know that her great-grandmother Henrietta helped the world!" He then pointed around the room at other cousins saying, "So will that child...and that child...and that child. This is their story now. They need to take hold of it and let it teach them they can change the world too."
Memorable Quote:
"...if you gonna go into history, you can't do it with a hate attitude. You got to remember, times was different." said by Deborah, Henrietta's daughter. (p. 276 - Kindle)
FAB Rating: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
This story sparked curiosity in us as we learned more about HeLa cells and the impact they have had on our world. Most amazing is that those cells are still being used today! We admire the tenacity with which Ms. Skloot tackled this project. It was well worth her efforts.
