Part III (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks)

In part three of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot completes her narration of the HeLa cells, while integrating the life story behind which these cells originated. While reading her book, I learned of all the unaccounted for facts during the continuous study of HeLa, including a full documentation on Henrietta Lacks and the Lacks’ family.

Previously in class we discussed whether the issue of consent or compensation was a more prominent matter throughout the case of HeLa- I believe I had chosen consent. After finishing the book, I have realized that although her not consenting to the scientific possession of her cells is debatable and unlawful (today), the issue of the Lacks’ being uncompensated for such medical advancements is a seemingly more disruptive topic.

The family was angered by the robbery of their mother’s cells, however they suffered more through financial hardships. Skloot writes of Deborah saying, “‘I’m a walking drugstore! I can’t say nuthin bad about science, but I won’t lie, I would like some health insurance so I don’t got to pay all that money every month for my drugs my mother cells probably helped make’ (256).” Multiple times in the book it is mentioned that the family is proud of their mothers’ cells accomplishments, regardless of her not consenting. I believe that it was unethical to take cell samples from a patient without their permission, however if such was never done, this story along with an abundance of medical discoveries would cease to exist. Furthermore, I also feel that because of such advancements, the descendants of Henrietta Lacks should have been financially awarded to compensate for the scientists’ lack of obtaining medical consent.

The discoveries made by studying HeLa cells is astounding, despite the ethics behind it. The family carries numerous health issues with them, but often don’t have the funds or insurance to obtain adequate medical care- ironic considering their mothers’ cells were famous for many medical advancements. Nevertheless, the family was proud of these accomplishments, Skloot writes of Deborah saying, “‘But maybe I’ll come back as some HeLa cells like my mother, that way we can do good together out there in the world’ (310).” The real issue is the lack of compensation.

Had the Lacks’ family been properly credited and compensated for their mothers’ cells success in medicine, the story would lose much of its bulk. What was it about this particular matter that made it so enticing? -The obvious misdoings of the law following similar events such as the Tuskegee Study and Nuremberg Trials. The Lacks’ suffered as the world prospered, and it was all due in credation to their mother, Henrietta Lacks. Wherein lies their credit for such prosperities?