Henrietta Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and became crucial for medical advancements like the polio vaccine. While her cells have been bought and sold globally, her family remains largely unknown and struggles with the legacy of her contribution. This book follows the journey of Henrietta's cells and her family's fight for recognition and understanding.
Rebecca Skloot is an award winning science writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine; O, The Oprah Magazine; Discover; and many other publications. She specializes in narrative science writing and has explored a wide range of topics, including goldfish surgery, tissue ownership rights, race and medicine, food politics, and packs of wild dogs in Manhattan. She has worked as a correspondent for WNYC’s Radiolab and PBS’s Nova ScienceNOW.
Source: Goodreads.com
Is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a true story?
The book is a work of narrative nonfiction, meticulously researched and based entirely on the real lives of Henrietta Lacks and her family, as well as the scientific and ethical history surrounding her cells.
Is there a movie adaptation of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?
A film adaptation of the book was produced by HBO Films, starring Oprah Winfrey as Deborah Lacks. It premiered in 2017.
What awards did The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks win?
The book received numerous accolades, including the National Academies Communication Award for its impact on public understanding of science and the Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for nonfiction.