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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Henrietta Lacks was a young black woman who died from aggressive cervical cancer in the 1950s and whose cancer cells were used, unbeknownst to her, for cancer research and eventually in most medical research globally. These cells, called HeLa cells, were essentially immortal and a game-changer for medical research. The boo provides a fascinating and heartbreaking look at systemic racism, medical consent, and methods of research in medical science. The meat of the book alternates between family interviews and information on the state of research using HeLa cells, regulations around medical research, and other historical background over the past 50+ years.
I found the afterward most interesting because after going through so much detailed history on HeLa cells, it summarized where we are today. Tissues are still used in medical research without the true knowledge or consent of the patients from where they came. (Have I signed a consent form? Probably, and I had no idea that my tissues may be used for anything other than a diagnosis.) Even more troubling is the patenting of genes for drug research which sounds like it drastically limits research which could result in more cures/treatment. Laws and regulations are still miles behind in this area, and I had no idea about any of this before reading this book. Thank you to the author for distilling years of research on this topic, and giving Henrietta's family a voice.
I found the afterward most interesting because after going through so much detailed history on HeLa cells, it summarized where we are today. Tissues are still used in medical research without the true knowledge or consent of the patients from where they came. (Have I signed a consent form? Probably, and I had no idea that my tissues may be used for anything other than a diagnosis.) Even more troubling is the patenting of genes for drug research which sounds like it drastically limits research which could result in more cures/treatment. Laws and regulations are still miles behind in this area, and I had no idea about any of this before reading this book. Thank you to the author for distilling years of research on this topic, and giving Henrietta's family a voice.
informative
fast-paced
My brother makes the best book recommendations. Review to come.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
As someone who has worked with these cells, this story was POWERFUL. It reminded me why I work where I do, but more importantly, who were doing this for and how they are treated. While medicine and consent have come a long way, there are still so many ways that people are under served in this world. We can do better, and should continue to work towards a more translucent system of care and research.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Racial slurs, Self harm, Medical trauma, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
hopeful
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sad
the first two sections of the book about Henrietta’s life, and the medical science history she catalyzed were excellent. then in the third section, her daughter Deborah and her continued engagement with her mother through and beyond this book is incredibly touching.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
My mom always told me to never sign myself up as an organ donor and this book has shed some light onto why that may actually be good advice. I also had a family member who died pretty mysteriously and unfortunately he had already consented to donating his body to science before he passed so there was never any closure there as to what happened to him.
We are all cataloged and experimented on - some folks more than others. But if you've had any "medical waste" removed or have sent in your DNA for 23andMe, you're probably logged somewhere and someone has probably experimented on your "waste".
Doctors are still experimenting on black women as we just saw happen with Adriana Smith. This book highlights the importance of saying their names: Henrietta Lacks, Adriana Smith, and more. Doctors and the government would prefer that we don't humanize literal people but we should continue to do so.
I wish there were more I could say about this other than everyone should read this book. Reading is political.
We are all cataloged and experimented on - some folks more than others. But if you've had any "medical waste" removed or have sent in your DNA for 23andMe, you're probably logged somewhere and someone has probably experimented on your "waste".
Doctors are still experimenting on black women as we just saw happen with Adriana Smith. This book highlights the importance of saying their names: Henrietta Lacks, Adriana Smith, and more. Doctors and the government would prefer that we don't humanize literal people but we should continue to do so.
I wish there were more I could say about this other than everyone should read this book. Reading is political.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced