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Imagine finding out that a part of your mother was still living over twenty years since you watched them lower her coffin into the ground. Imagine that she had made companies all over the world millions and millions of pounds since her death and you were never told.
Henrietta Lacks’ name meant nothing to me until a few months ago. I bought three books. ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ was my wildcard. I didn’t read the blurb, just bought it. I am so thankful I did.
Henrietta Lacks
Those of you who studied medicine or biology may have come across HeLa cells in your studies. These all originated from one place – the cancerous tumor of one Henrietta Lacks.
This the cell sample was removed from Mrs Lacks in 1951 whilst she was undergoing radium treatment in John Hopkins Hospital for cervical cancer. This was normal medical practice at that time and no special consent was required. (Only if samples were to be removed from a corpse, in which case next of kin had to grant permission)
George Gey
This cell was a miracle. Where other samples died fairly quickly once put in culture, Henriettas lived on and not only that, they thrived and multiplied. This was a medical breakthrough. HeLa allowed for the mass production of cells that were then freely distributed by their maker, scientist George Gey and then later they were distributed at a cost from a myriad of different companies set up to manufacture the cells. Many breakthroughs in modern medicine including the creation of the Polio Vaccine were a result of Henrietta Lacks’ cells. 
Her cells are still used today and there are more cells sitting in laboratories around the world today than ever inhabited Henrietta’s body.
The book, written by Rebecca Skloot explained that the first the family knew about Henrietta’s cells and she had done for the progression of medical science was when two articles were published about her, some twenty years after her death.
Rebecca Skloot

Many ethical and moral questions were raised in this book. Many grievances were to do with misuse of authority, lack of information to or consent from participants in trials. Issues about race and social class are also prevalent. Many shocking medical practices were brought to my attention too, including the use of prisoners or the mentally ill to test procedures or substances that could kill as well as cure.
The family felt they deserved compensation for their mother’s cells; after all, her cells had thrived into a multi million pound commodity whilst they were surviving on Medicaid and couldn’t afford many basic necessities.
Thankfully many practises that were highlighted in the book have changed due to regulations and changes in the law. These are rights that we take for granted and if it wasn’t for my wildcard book, I’d have stayed ignorant to.
I’ve been careful not to tell you much about the book as it is a fantastic read and I want you to read it for yourself, so no spoilers. A lovely guy in Waterstones, Canary Wharf recommended this to me a couple of weeks ago and he was surprised when I’d said I’d already read it. You see it is one of those little known about gems. A kind of book worms secret. But this worm is willing to share with you. Just this one time
: )
September 1, 2011
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