Henrietta Lacks Essay

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On the surface, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a fast, easy read. However, numerous complex issues are faced throughout the book. Rebecca Skloot's insights to racism and controversial medical issues are evident in each chapter. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a complex book, and readers should be informed of the issues Rebecca Skloot addresses along with the major themes of the book. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks describes the scientific progress made through the research conducted on Henrietta Lacks’ cells. Since Henrietta’s cells flourished in a lab, scientists were able to test a variety of treatments and study how the cells reacted to various diseases. Additionally, Rebecca Skloot’s book addresses certain bioethical and social issues, including whether Henrietta’s family had a right to the profits made using her cells, whether the doctors had a right to use Henrietta’s cells without specifically asking permission to conduct research, and whether Henrietta’s social position made her vulnerable to deception by the doctors. Although central to the story, the issues of cells and scientific advances are not the only themes of Skloot's book. The book also holds consequential information on the views and struggles of those still affected by racism. When Henrietta first arrived at Hopkins, she was deposited into the “colored ward”, and that was fortunate. Many black patients were sent away, “even if it meant they might die in the parking lot” (15). She was not given down-to-earth explanations, but given a treatment and sent away. No one understood. Years later, after her death, Henrietta's adult children remained confused. What had happened to their mother? Scientists asked for the children's blood samples; Deborah, Henrietta’s youngest daughter, lived in fear, because she thought they were testing her for cancer as well. Henrietta Lacks’

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