Rebecca Skloot

What a great lecture by the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.  How much the information that was presented was review?  What was new or surprising?  Are you glad you went?

Lingering Issues

What issues remain about the use of Henrietta Lack's cells?

This book is so excited. I love how at the beginning of the book just tells her whole story. I wonder if they people were put into jail for using her cells without permission? Can they make our cells live forever now? I have so many questions please answer them for me! :)

Tell me. Tell me...

With 9 more days until the lecture, are you generating any questions to ask to Ms. Skloot? Have you thought of her writing techniques, her factual evidence, etc?

Rebecca Skloot Lecture

Please let us know if you plan to join the group for our trip to the University of Illinois in Springfield.

Giant Rabbits the Size of Humans!

A story about giant rabbits residing in the basement of John Hopkins Hospital is relayed on page 236 in the book.  What are some additional examples of misinformation that people believe about Henrietta's cell?  Please provide a page number as a reference.

Legality vs. Morality

Henrietta's cells were taken without her knowledge.  Was permission given to use them?
Even if this was legally permissible.. do you feel that this was morally right?

Benefits to Medical Science

Posed by Daniel Jamrozik:
Throughout the book, there were numerous references to medical advances that were due to Henrietta's cells.  Please elaborate how her cells did this and identify specific examples.

The Personality of Henrietta Lacks

As I read the first chapters, I couldn't help but marvel at Henrietta's personality.  She didn't complain about her illness; most people didn't even know she was sick unless she told them.  She kept up with her household duties even though she couldn't have been feeling well.  She was a tough lady.  What did you think of her as a person?   Did she remind you of anyone you know?

What's in a name?

Posted by Brendan Williams:
Do you think that it's appropriate to not give Henrietta credit for her immortal cells and only labeling them with HeLa? 

Was he just whining?

Question posed by Jaszmyn Epps: On page 103 Skloot writes about how Gey was writing letters to other scientists asking them to restrict their use of HELA cells.  Because he was responsible for dispersing the HELA cells should he have the right to say what was done with the cells?

WARNING!!!! John Hopkins Hospital is ripping off peoples cells

Should there have been legal action taken against the hospital or the doctors for using her cells and the family not being benefited from the money they made.

Welcome

Welcome everyone to our blog for the Book Club. We are looking forward to collaborating with you on this thought-provoking book.