Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the non-fictional account of the first discovery of human cells that were able to grow and multiply outside of the body, in a laboratory setting. These cells allowed scientific experimentation for the first time on human cell tissues. It was a first for researchers and a giant leap forward for medical investigation.
Well, I was a bit worried that the girls in the book club might have given up before our meeting on Tuesday, but oh boy, was I wrong! This was our April book selection, and it proved to be an engaging read for most everyone!
Tuesday morning`s meeting was geared up, and certainly I found it to be very vocal. (Maybe the Starbucks coffee had something to do with it!!!) Nearly everyone had read the book, and there was a wide range of opinions around V.`s dining room table. I would suggest that it was the most animated meeting that we've had so far!
Most everyone agreed that it was well written and easy to read. I found Skloot's narrative to be a bit repetitive, and I really got bored by some of the re-telling of certain details. (It sometimes felt like I had been told the same info over and over.)
Some members found it to be a great examination of American medical ethics in the 1950`s. Unfortunately our in-house doctor wasn`t present (she skipped this month, and picked up an extra shift at the hospital!). However, we did enjoy hearing about the discussion between F and her husband (the very sweet, and super intelligent international patent expert). Patents and ethics are sticky issues sometimes.
I was left with the impression that cells donated or removed from the human body do not continue to be the property of the patient. One person likened the removal of tissues during medical procedures as a form of waste removal. After the waste has been removed from our possession, it is "free for the taking."
There was a general consensus that the Lacks family weren`t really entitled to financial compensation. In this case, Henrietta's cell tissue proved to be incredibly valuable to the scientific community, but no more worthy of financial compensation as a result. I believe that Henrietta didn't understand what science was doing with her cells, and I believe that her family was not informed, but her sons ongoing quest for money was unfounded.
We also agreed that Henrietta`s consent to the various tests and procedures was not informed consent. I believe that her family also suffered subsequent victimization as a result of not being afforded a clear explanation of the events that unfolded. It always seemed like the scientific community never afforded the Lacks family enough time or explanation. To think that this poor family thought that they were being tested for cancer when they were merely taking blood samples for DNA research.
I enjoyed learning about this real event in the development of scientific research. Author Rebecca Skloot is successful in presenting a real life occurrence and explaining the fall out from these events. Ultimately, Skloot presents the story of an impoverished American family, who's involvement in the progress of research was quite accidental.
Rebecca Skloot's work got the book club ladies going. We had a great discussion, and I still find myself thinking about the ethical issues that she presents in her book. Way to go Rebecca!
Well, I was a bit worried that the girls in the book club might have given up before our meeting on Tuesday, but oh boy, was I wrong! This was our April book selection, and it proved to be an engaging read for most everyone!
Tuesday morning`s meeting was geared up, and certainly I found it to be very vocal. (Maybe the Starbucks coffee had something to do with it!!!) Nearly everyone had read the book, and there was a wide range of opinions around V.`s dining room table. I would suggest that it was the most animated meeting that we've had so far!Most everyone agreed that it was well written and easy to read. I found Skloot's narrative to be a bit repetitive, and I really got bored by some of the re-telling of certain details. (It sometimes felt like I had been told the same info over and over.)
| Henrietta's Confident and Strong Smile |
I was left with the impression that cells donated or removed from the human body do not continue to be the property of the patient. One person likened the removal of tissues during medical procedures as a form of waste removal. After the waste has been removed from our possession, it is "free for the taking."
There was a general consensus that the Lacks family weren`t really entitled to financial compensation. In this case, Henrietta's cell tissue proved to be incredibly valuable to the scientific community, but no more worthy of financial compensation as a result. I believe that Henrietta didn't understand what science was doing with her cells, and I believe that her family was not informed, but her sons ongoing quest for money was unfounded.
We also agreed that Henrietta`s consent to the various tests and procedures was not informed consent. I believe that her family also suffered subsequent victimization as a result of not being afforded a clear explanation of the events that unfolded. It always seemed like the scientific community never afforded the Lacks family enough time or explanation. To think that this poor family thought that they were being tested for cancer when they were merely taking blood samples for DNA research.
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| Author Rebecca Skloot |
I enjoyed learning about this real event in the development of scientific research. Author Rebecca Skloot is successful in presenting a real life occurrence and explaining the fall out from these events. Ultimately, Skloot presents the story of an impoverished American family, who's involvement in the progress of research was quite accidental.
Rebecca Skloot's work got the book club ladies going. We had a great discussion, and I still find myself thinking about the ethical issues that she presents in her book. Way to go Rebecca!
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