Thank You Rebecca Skloot!
Stars: 5/5
There is a reason why this book is a New York Times Bestseller. The story, the history and the science melded by the author's writing prowess is marvelous and worthy of the acclaim.
I, too, was one of the many who had never heard of Henrietta Lacks. Once I was made aware of the popular book I quickly purchased it and began the journey of discovery. Henrietta Lacks was a 31 yr. old tobacco farmer from Virginia who was admitted into John Hopkins Hospital with cervical cancer. Unbeknownst to Henrietta, some of her cancerous cells were removed and sent to the research lab. As it turns out, Henrietta's cells never stopped growing. It was an astonishing breakthrough in cell research because now scientists have an endless supply of cancerous cells to conduct research and tests. Although Henrietta died not long after being admitted, her cells, HeLa (the first two letters of her first and last name) continue to grow to this day.
Along the way, we meet the doctors, scientists and researchers who knowingly or unwittingly participated in cultivating HeLa into a multimillion dollar industry. Most of the major strides in cancer research and treatment as well as the Polio vaccine, DNA and genome research can all be traced back to HeLa cells.
Through Skloot's own personal story we learn of Henrietta's family and what they had to endure after learning of the existence of Henrietta's cells after 20 years of being kept in the dark.
The fact that Rebecca Skloot dedicated 10 years of her life to research and write about Henrietta Lacks, HeLa cells and the Lacks family, should be an indication of just how powerful this story is. It is one of the best books I've read in a while. I highly recommend.
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Rebecca Skloot interview on CBS Sunday Morning
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