The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Summary

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks written by Rebecca Skloot provides a discussion of Henrietta Lacks who is a socially and economically deprived Tobacco farmer originating from the Southern side of the United States. Her cancer cells had been collected in the 20th century without her permission or knowledge or any form of monetary compensation and utilized in the development of immortal cells that are still utilized today in medical studies (Wolfe, 2017). The cells, therefore, became a major revolution in the science sector. The family had to struggle with the unexpected death of Henrietta and only discovered about the important discovery through articles authored with regard to Henrietta’s death.

Throughout the period her family felt exploited given that other people were gaining in terms of money and discoveries through their mother’s cells while they were being subjected to intense poverty and were not even able to afford medical care. It is then that Skloot collaborates with Deborah one of Henrietta’s daughter to expose the existence, death as well as the growth of immortal cells (Wolfe, 2017). After traveling to Crownsville they later discover that her sister had alone due to the lack of proper medical care but she is still determined to understand the truth. The author explores unethical conducts that rule the medical and scientific fields that are dominated by racism and mistreatment of the less fortunate. In the End, she is able to provide answers to Lacks family with regard to her contributions to the scientific field and ensures that they get financial contributions as deserved.

Response

Discussion Question: What factors (race, class, gender, ″the times″) do you think were responsible for Henrietta′s cells being taken from her without her permission?

Several aspects were accountable for the cells being taken out of Henrietta’s body without her consent. In that to begin with, she had no knowledge of everything that was taking place when she sought medical treatment for her illness. In this context, she was illiterate and had no understanding of what such procedures meant or the implication of such. The examiners, therefore, took advantage of her social class, gender as well as gender. Being a woman during that period meant that people were inferior and their ability to air their views was very limited in general. She might not have questioned the process because of her gender. On the other hand her being a black woman played a role given that racism was very dominant and they took advantage.

Henrietta's Socio-economic class played the main role in this medical immorality. In that, she had no money and being poor meant submitting to everything that was ordered. She had to be submissive as she was in need of medical care which she would not actually afford. Thus, her inability to afford decent medical attention during the period gave power to the medics as they understood that her abilities were limited. The era is one that medical treatment was not as developed which might have contributed to this unethical practice.

 

 

 

 

Reference

George C. Wolfe. (2017). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. IMD. Retrieved from: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5686132/