The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

★★★½
GENRE: Non Fiction
SUBJECT: tissue samples, question of consent, HELA cells
Setting: Baltimore, MD
CHARACTERS: Henrietta Lacks, George Gey, Deborah Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
DATE READ: August 23 - August 27
NO. OF PAGES: 619
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   no, public library

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.31

This book is a combination of the details of medical research using HELA cells and the life of the woman whose cells they were.  Her family was never aware that her cells had been taken and were being used for massive research areas - polio, TB, etc.  Her cancer cells which were taken from her in 1951 are still being used in research today. When the cells are placed in the proper medium they continue to grow.

One of the major points of interest in this book is the discussion of the question of consent.  The author analyzes the ethical issues of using tissues without consent forms signed vs. the need of medical researchers needs to tissues for experimentation. 

Recommended to those interested in the processes of medical research.