Below is a summation of the members' reactions to this work.
Rebecca Skloot's biography details not only the life of Henrietta Lacks but also the state of medical research across several decades. While Skloot has done an excellent job of reducing the complicated science of cellular research to a readable level, it is her research on Herietta's life that makes this book well worth reading. Skloot's ability to bring this heretofore unknown woman to life reminds us all that the core of medical research is the patient: not the doctor, not the researcher, not the rest of the medical community, but the patient.
While the members agreed that the science covered in the book makes for a somewhat difficult read, they all felt it was extremely informative and interresting. Discussion centered on the state of medicine, especially with regard to female patients, the history of medical treatment for blacks, and Henrietta's life and family. All felt they would recommend the book to readers who would not be discouraged by the scientific content.
