The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Hardcover

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Hardcover by Rebecca Skloot tells the story of the woman behind HeLa cells, the first immortal human cell line grown in culture. Taken from Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge, these cells became essential to medical research, contributing to advances in the polio vaccine, cancer research, virology, and genetics. Through the experiences of Henrietta's family, especially her daughter Deborah, Skloot explores the human story behind these scientific discoveries and raises important questions about informed consent, medical ethics, race, and ownership of human biological materials.

Why You’ll Love This:

• Reveals the story of Henrietta Lacks and the cells that transformed medical research

• Explains how HeLa cells contributed to discoveries involving cancer, viruses, the polio vaccine, and genetics

• Follows the Lacks family's search for answers about Henrietta's legacy

• Examines the history of medical experimentation on African Americans and the development of bioethics

• Raises important questions about informed consent, scientific responsibility, and who benefits from medical discoveries

Discover the remarkable scientific legacy of HeLa cells alongside the family history and ethical questions behind their creation.