The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot

HeLa – Aka Henrietta Lacks. That is what her immortal cells are referred to.

To the Moon

In Nuclear Bombs

Developed Drugs

Made Vaccines

HeLa

Henrietta Lacks

Immortal Cells

Round the earth and back – three times – 350 million feet

All from the cervix of woman who stood told 5 feet tall

A Black Woman

A Black Woman helping millions of people

But, her kids, grandkids, husband, even Henrietta Lacks herself – didn’t know until 25 years after her death!

Yet, they couldn’t afford medical insurance; couldn’t afford to get sick!

This book will challenge your views on the confidentiality of medical records, ownership of your tissues and cells, the importance of informed consent, and most importantly the medical research on human subjects – black human subjects. How far will medical research go for the good of all to sacrifice one person, one community? Where does bioethics stand on this issue? What are the human consequences? What are the ethical and moral consequences? Unus Pro Omibus, omnes pro uno!