The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Ever wondered how one person's cells could change medicine forever, without their consent? Discover the incredible, true story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge, became one of the most important tools in modern science. This summary unpacks the profound ethical questions at the heart of medical research. You'll learn how the "HeLa" cells led to breakthroughs like the polio vaccine and cancer treatments, while her family was left in the dark, struggling with the legacy of her unknowing contribution. Explore the intersection of race, ethics, and scientific discovery.

Rebecca Skloot is an award-winning science writer whose debut book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, was a number-one New York Times bestseller for over a decade. A former correspondent for NPR’s Radiolab and PBS’s Nova scienceNOW, she spent ten years tenaciously researching the story of Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cells. This journey involved earning the trust of the Lacks family and uncovering the profound ethical questions at the intersection of race, medicine, and scientific discovery.