A review by jeffphilly
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

5.0

All I can say is WOW! The author did a wonderful with #1 getting this story told, as there were some significant hurdles for her to overcome. Mainly, with getting the needed people to cooperate and agree to be interviewed and consent to this story being told. #2, Once the author had gotten their permission, she had to tell the story in a way that the average person could understand. Much of the book deals with complicated scientific knowledge and yet the author conveyed the information in a way that all could fully comprehend. This is quite simply a very sad story, yet one that had to be told. Sadly, many are not aware of the ethical complications that the author presented in the book. Henrietta Lacks had encountered these ethical issues in the 1950s. Yet as the author had presented in this particular field of medicine we really have not made significant progress, if any at all in reality. I would highly recommend that all take the time to read this book and educate yourself about the ethical dilemmas you'll certainly encounter at future doctor's appointments.