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A review by catherine_mack
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
5.0
I am a little late getting to this title (published 2010) but now that I’ve read it… Wow!!! I listened to the entire audiobook with my mouth hanging open. I think that every human should know this woman’s name and know this story. It is a very powerful read about science, medicine, social justice, privacy and consent.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing parts of the book is the final chapter. The Afterward discusses how things have and have not changed in the area of tissue samples and research since the 1950’s and since the publication of the book. We live in a society that commodifies and looks to gain huge profits from the very building blocks of life. It is quite sickening.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing parts of the book is the final chapter. The Afterward discusses how things have and have not changed in the area of tissue samples and research since the 1950’s and since the publication of the book. We live in a society that commodifies and looks to gain huge profits from the very building blocks of life. It is quite sickening.