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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
informative
slow-paced
emotional
informative
medium-paced
emotional
informative
medium-paced
this book was super engaging and interesting, while also pointing out a lot of valuable cultural and societal opinions that critique the practices described
SUCH an important read - eye-opening and well written. I learned so much about not only the science of cells and testing, but the history of racist testing on Black people. Henrietta's story (and her kids' stories) are heartbreaking and all too real for anyone who's grown up in poverty. In the end, it's hard to feel for scientists who so obviously care only about their own work instead of the lives they've affected...but then you have to think: where would we be without them? And, moreso, where would we be without Henrietta?
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book was brilliant. I thought the balance between science and human interest worked very well, and I was genuinely moved by the family's experiences - enhanced by the narrative being consistently in their words and from their perspective. Hugely thought provoking. Great book.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I had always heard this book was good but it sounded kind of boring to me. I was wrong! Fascinating book that expertly weaves together the story of Henrietta's life, the story her children, and the story of the cells.
A fascinating history of immortal cells taken from a lady named, Henrietta Lacks, in 1951 without her knowledge. Her cells have since helped develop polio vaccine, they have gone into space, and been exposed to nuclear testing and cloning... “yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance.”
“Today most Americans have their tissue on file somewhere... the stuff you leave behind doesn’t always get thrown out. Doctors, hospitals, and laboratories keep it.” These tissues are sold and can often lead to companies making profit off of research completed on these tissues. Should informed consent be obtained? Should people receive compensation if their tissues are used in research that leads to profit? If consent has to be obtained, will this lead to less donors and less research to obtain better medical interventions? An endless debate that majority of patients are unaware of.
“Today most Americans have their tissue on file somewhere... the stuff you leave behind doesn’t always get thrown out. Doctors, hospitals, and laboratories keep it.” These tissues are sold and can often lead to companies making profit off of research completed on these tissues. Should informed consent be obtained? Should people receive compensation if their tissues are used in research that leads to profit? If consent has to be obtained, will this lead to less donors and less research to obtain better medical interventions? An endless debate that majority of patients are unaware of.