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Trade Paperback
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9781400052189
Overview
Overview
Now an HBO(R) Film starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells--taken without her knowledge in 1951--became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells--taken without her knowledge in 1951--became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.
- Format: TradePaperback
- Author: Skloot, Rebecca
- ISBN: 9781400052189
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 7.90 x 1.10
- Number Of Pages: 400
- Publication Year: 2011
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Huge medical advances at the cost of everyday people
Chad P. - 2 years 9 months agoI found this book a little dry and slow at the start but completely fascinating. The book tells the tale of a woman dying of cervical cancer which is traumatic enough for her family but their grief, frustration and anger is magnified intensly when they discover that medical professionals took cell samples from her. These cells are world renowned for their part in medical research, experimentation and were involved in finding a polio cure and much, much more... only the family never knew. The family of Henrietta Lacks were poor, African-American, endured considerable hardships and mad that they were continually kept in the dark about Henrietta's immense contribution to science and medicine. The fact that medical professionals took and continue to take for granted that whatever they want or need to do for the sake of research and experimentation is ok... the philosophy of the ends justifies the mean was an eye opener for me.
HPB Staff Review