The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The story of how cells taken from Henrietta Lacks revolutionized medical science, raising profound questions about race, class, and medical ethics.

In 1951, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took tissue samples from Henrietta Lacks, a poor Black woman dying of cervical cancer, without her knowledge or consent. Those cells, later known as HeLa cells, became the first human cells to survive and multiply outside the body, leading to countless medical breakthroughs including vaccines, cancer treatments, and fertility drugs.

Skloot's masterful narrative weaves together three stories: the scientific revolution enabled by HeLa cells, the personal tragedy of Henrietta's family, and the ethical questions raised by using human tissue without consent. The result is both a compelling human story and a critical examination of how medical research has historically exploited vulnerable populations.

Henrietta's story reveals the intersection of racism, poverty, and medical treatment in 1950s America. As a Black woman receiving charity care, she had little power to question her doctors' decisions or protect her own interests. Yet her cells became the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar industry from which her family has never profited.

The book's exploration of the Lacks family's experience shows the human cost of scientific progress. For decades, they lived in poverty while companies and researchers made fortunes from Henrietta's cells, often without even knowing that HeLa cells came from their mother and grandmother.

Skloot's relationship with Henrietta's daughter Deborah becomes central to the narrative, showing how the author gained the family's trust while helping them understand the scientific significance of their mother's contribution. This personal relationship transforms what could have been an abstract discussion of bioethics into an intimate exploration of grief, pride, and the search for understanding.

The book's scientific explanations are accessible without being simplistic, helping readers understand complex concepts like cell biology, genetic research, and medical ethics. Skloot shows how HeLa cells contributed to virtually every major medical advance of the past seventy years, from polio vaccines to cancer research to space medicine.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks sparked important conversations about informed consent, tissue ownership, and the need for more equitable research practices. It demonstrates how the best science writing can combine rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling to illuminate important social issues.