The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Excellent Read! (2010-03-11) : 4/5
This book was an excellent read. All the complicated jargon was kept to a minimum, and the medical/legal terms were fully explained. Although the book skips around in time, the story was easy to follow. I don't usually read books in one sitting, since leisure time is short, but this book was devoured in only a few hours. Skloot's first book is a real winner, and I can't wait to read her next work. Great job!
Truth will out! (2010-03-10) : 5/5
This book held me spell bound not only while reading it, but since. I feel the urge to get to know the wonderful author who did so much searching and coaxing with the family, overcoming their concerns, to tell us about Henrietta Lacks. I have included a page on Henrietta Lacks under Famous Americans on my website. I want children to learn about the woman who made so many medical advances possible. [...]
just a note (2010-03-10) : 4/5
I have only read the reviews, trying to decide if I want to read this book.

I think I need to read the book just to make sure the author makes a note that cells are no longer used for research without a patient's permission (from the reviews, it sounds like this bit of info is missing).

'paying' for a patient's contribution is not even close to being practical. First of all, turning a cancer biopsy into a cell line isn't a sure thing. Many stop growing after a few passages and won't survie in cell culture. Second of all, the researchers themselves are not making money off of those contributions. If a cell line does become useful and is made available commercially, patient privacy (HIPAA laws) prevent anyone from being able to connect that cell line to the original patient.


Amazing book that straddles many different genres and does each one flawlessly (2010-03-10) : 5/5
This is an amazing, groundbreaking book. Though I've listed it under "biographies and memoirs," that really doesn't do the book justice. It's part biography, part science, part ethics and philosophy. Rebecca Skloot seamlessly weaves the stories of Henrietta, her family, her cells, her doctors, and her cells' impact on science and ethics. The biographical parts are written with a blunt but sensitive pen, the science is explained clearly enough so that even someone like me -- who hasn't taken biology since 9th grade -- can follow it, if not truly grasp the deeper implications of it, and the ethical issues are laid out as precisely and clearly as possible.

I've never seen a book like this, that so easily and completely straddles the line between biography, science textbook, journalism, and metaphysical pondering. You know how Goodreads always asks "Who would you recommend this to?" I can't think of a single person who wouldn't connect with this book in some way, even if only for the ethical implications that we all have tissue taken from us, and none of us have a say in where it goes.

Excellent Book! (2010-03-09) : 5/5
I am a scientist with a graduate degree however I was not aware of the vast impact of HeLa cells. The human element to this story is amazing. I liked that the book is a mix of the contributions of HeLa cells, a historical account of the family and also brings up a lot of interesting bioethical questions. The author has obviously done extensive research and was very detailed in her account. The writing is not the most polished but considering the amount of work and dedication and that this is Rebecca's first book I found it a very powerful read. If you are interested in science in any way buy this book!