To
be honest, I don’t know why I bought this. Everything on face value about this
book is not to my liking. IT certainly looks non-fiction and scientific at
that. Despite the red colored cover and background, it initially spelled BORING
to me. As much as I am open to reading different types of books, I am more of a
fiction-reader than a non-fiction one. I like science and screen documentaries,
but not really in print, but just like how I purchase books, I rely mostly on
impulse and gut feel and this one is a product of that. Thank God I listened.
I
enjoyed the book. I read it non-stop. I remember reading it while getting my
nails done, during lunch at work and while I waited for someone for 2 hours and
miraculously didn’t throw and bitch fit. It was like reading a documentary in a
novel format, in a fiction way of story telling. There are distinct characters,
there’s a solid plot, there’s your conflict and there’s your climax. More than
anything, it’s a story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman who unknowingly donated
her cells while she was being treated from cervical cancer. Just like any
colored woman at those times, their primary care was scarce. There were only
key players and institution that kept the story Henrietta Lacks reaching to new
heights. As scientists and pathologists find ways to cure basic polio and
diseases by experimenting in cells, it was never easy. Cells being cultured to
do experiments on almost always die before scientists could ever use them. That’s
where the simple farmer, Henrietta Lacks, succeeded. Upon getting samples from
her cervical tumor, pathologists found out that her cells survived through
culture. Finding a successful vessel to carry on their research, her cells were
multiplied and shipped to other labs to create
breakthrough medications in science. And the rest is history.
And
just like any new breakthroughs, conflicts on scientific property, patents,
money and heritage come into view. And just like the core conflict of the
story, Henrietta Lacks died without knowing her contribution to science and
without any knowledge and remuneration received by her family.
Apart
from the snippets of Henrietta Lacks’ life and giving breath to the woman
behind the cells, the book will tickle your knowledge about cell culture, cell
ownership and importance. It teaches you the basic background of how this
branch of science works without actually boring you. It has the element of
human in it. I never knew Henrietta Lacks before or what made her immortal, but
in this book, I learned a lot about so-called immortality of her cells. While
reading the book, the reader would form questions on morality and ownership. I
find myself having debates in my head on where I stand in all of this. I
specifically liked the argument on cell ownership and if bodies are treated as
properties both bound by legal and moral laws. In the book, other patients
besides Henrietta Lacks were discussed as they faced their own legal battles.
It’s a question of patients being treated and having the “excess” from basic
medical tests in from of cells/tissues be used in a medical experiment. If
nothing came out from the experiment, it wouldn’t have mattered but if it
resulted to medical breakthroughs, shall money be given to the patient creating
some sort of commerce?
This
book is written by someone who is not connected to the Lacks family, but has a
substantial knowledge in science, a writer who is just curious on Henrietta
Lacks. Reading through the book was like reading Rebecca Skloot’s findings and
observations from her interviews with the family and interpretation of past medical
records. It was reading through the
writer’s discoveries and realizations day by day for the reader to effectively
form his/her own opinion. More than an entertaining read, it’s educational and
reflective on where you stand on things.
___
On most recent news, I'm happy to inform that the family of Henrietta Lacks gains control over the usage of her cells. 2 members of the family will be part of the whole decision making process on where, when and how to use them. They will ensure privacy and utmost care of Henrietta Lacks legacy. They will also receive long due recognition of their family's contribution to science. No money is involved. It's all about medical breakthroughs done in the most ethical and transparent way. Well, I favor the decision, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Read the news here: WASHINGTONPOST.COM
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