The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Most of us liked the book.  Some highlights:

  • Should people get consent?  Should people be obligated to give?
  • IVF = big legal document
  • Is it wrong not to give people knowledge?
  • Should we all be willing to give tissue?
  • You have to give up control over what will be done with your cells
  • Hela cells are evolving into their own species
  • Was Henrietta treated differently because she was black?  Or was that treatment pretty typical of the time?
  • Unfortunately, there’s more money in treating cancer than in curing it
  • Genetic mapping with computer network to pinpoint genetic abnormalities – bc of Hela

Continue reading