• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

• GTIN: 9780307589385

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and became the first immortalized human cell line, known as HeLa cells. These cells have been crucial in countless medical breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine, cancer research, and gene mapping. The book explores the ethical and moral implications of using Lacks' cells without her or her family's consent, the impact of this scientific discovery on the Lacks family, their struggle to understand Henrietta's legacy, and the complex history of medical research and informed consent. It weaves together science, ethics, and race to create a compelling narrative about the woman behind one of the most important advancements in modern medicine and her family's journey to reclaim her story.