Funadvice Logo
Post
More Art, Writing & Literature Questions

Has anyone read the book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"?

I just finished it a couple of days ago and can’t stop thinking about it. It’s about a poor black woman in the ‘50s who had cervical cancer. Treated poorly at Johns Hopkins hospital because she was black. They took tissue samples without asking her or her family. Turns out, her tissue never died. It grew and grew. Scientists have been using her cells (Called HeLa cells) up until this very day to test drugs and cure diseases. It was an amazing read. Her cells helped cure polio, have been sent to the moon to test how human cells react in space, they’re using it in cancer and AIDs research now. All from this poor black woman’s cells in the ‘50s. And her family hasn’t seen a dime. Pick up the book!

Become an Expert →
Answer #1

i know the story. some genetic material was taken from her and was used in experiments to cure cancer

More Like This
Ask an advisor one-on-one!
Advisor

Share Your Life Story UK

Book Ghostwriting, Biography Writing, Memoir Writing

Advisor

Geek Book

Books, Magazines, Educational Materials

Advisor

Aspire Book Publishers

Publishing, Book Design, Marketing

Advisor

Authors Book Hub

Book Writing Services, Professional Writing, Publishing

Advisor

Childrens Book Illustrators

Children's Book Illustration, Book Publishing, Digital Art Services