#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells — taken without her knowledge in 1951 — became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually … billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.
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One of the best books I have ever read. A fantastic story!
I loved this book and could not put it down. I read it when it came out and was shocked at the story the author told. Excellent research! I can’t believe her cells are still alive. Highly recommend.
Very well written book on the very short life of Henrietta Lacks. It shows how the medical system sometimes takes advantage of the poor and disadvantaged. Working in the medical field, I do know the cells that were removed from Mrs. Lacks without her permission have been a tremendous help in the study of cancer. It is very sad that it took …
Henrietta Lacks, an unassuming young mother in Baltimore, was only 31 years old when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She died of the disease, but not before doctors at Johns Hopkins made an astonishing discovery: unlike most cells, the cells from her tumor replicated themselves with remarkable speed and could be kept alive for as long as …
This book offers historical insight into human rights issues within the medical field. Primarily though, it focuses on the woman behind the most widely researched human cells in the world: Henrietta Lacks. Her name has only recently become known to the world which is quite sad, but thanks to her family’s perseverance and Rebecca Skloot’s heavy …
What a revelation of a tragic character & her devastating disease. It uncovers the coverup regarding the use of Mrs. Lack’s cells without consent.
Fascinating and educational. Read this before there was any info about CRISPR or COVID and it really laid a foundation for understanding the research process.
Reads like a detective novel with lots of subtexts from racism and sexism to unexpected ramifications of laboratory practices. Find out what HELA means to you!
I read this non-fiction book during the CoVid pandemic, and it made me stop and think of the many facets of research–past and present. I had heard of HeLa cells and knew they were instrumental in many medical advancements, but I did not know the details of where the cells originated. My emotions are mixed after reading about Henrietta Lacks and …
Real life events thought provoking
A true story about something that affects so many of our lives in a way very few people understand. Henrietta’s cells live on to do good for the world and yet her family struggles still today. A complex and intriguing look behind research and how real people can get lost in the mix. Also a daughter’s quest for answers and love bring heartbreak …
One of the best that I’ve read. I choose it for my book group and we all enjoyed it.
To think that all cancer patients have Henrietta’s genes in them, whether they are black or white.
A marvelously informative and thoughtfully told true life story. Hard to put down.
An incredible book about American medical history which should be required reading
A Must Read!! Particularly for anyone in Health Care….
Have we (as a society) gotten better?? Shocking! Tragic…
In this age of genetic research, to find cures for known and unknown diseases, we must respectfully bow to Henrietta Lacks for the numerous contributions she unknowingly provided. We must also be deligent in maintaining the highest level of ethics by all involved through complete transparency. This story tells it all, the gifts she gave to the …
This book is a remarkable and sad accounting of a horrible experiment that was done to a black woman without her knowledge.
For someone who takes care of patients with cancer- I enjoyed learning about the science behind treatments still used to this day. From a human stand point – it was sad to see the injustices for the sake of science
An eye-opening and thought provoking story.
it was interesting because of what happened to her; I read it a while ago now; maybe I should read it again–maybe I would like it better now
A remarkable true story about a woman who contributed to science and has helped mankind.
Unfortunately she and her family never benefited
from her extra ordinary contribution. Will read again at sometime.