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Dec 27, 2017Ghettostone rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
"Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" the true story of a woman whose cells literally have reproduced themselves for more than 5 decades in medical labs around the world! Human cells die after so much time outside the body. The cells are used in cancer experiments, or HIV cure testing, or genenic disorders tests, but none live on past a certain testing date. Only one set of human cells have ever reproduced themselves and lived passed their experation date those cells are famous and they all belong to one woman, Henrietta Lacks! Born in Baltimore where her family discovers that their sister lives on in millions of people today. The book featured photographs and family stories about the Lacks and some element of a biographical element but was marred by the blatant racism of the times and the medical industries use of individual's bio-cellular materials without consent, or compensation to desendents, even though millions of dollars have been made from the sale of Henrietta's cells. The story is told by a lab assistant with a guilty conscience and brothers and sisters of Henrietta Lacks who dies of cancer while experimentation discoveries are made by utilization of these undead cells, which are, (hence the name) immortal! Unbelivable that science in the medical field has made such great advancements during this Era without paying any attention to the family of the cells creators. Not a good look America! But without this book who would have known about these increditable scientific discoveries was all on account of these cells that never die. Not a bad storyline. While reading I hope for the best, but since it was a true story and in America and the people concerned were Black, well there went any hope for a happy ending. Most of the story was tough to read and leaves the reader frustrated. But immortal cells, come on this is a miracle! We all must see how this is impossible, but it's real.... I'm still recommending this book! The group was divided on their support versus their anger at the Medical Profession in 1960's America! Ghettostone Editor/Chief www.ghettostone.com BEST SELLERS'S BOOK CLUB