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Henrietta Lacks Critique

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Henrietta Lacks Critique
I have read the first half of the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a book about a woman in the 1950s who had cancer. The story explains how Henrietta's cells were taken and what happened to them as scientists began to discover more and more about cells and cancer. I most enjoyed learning about the way that patients were treated in hospitals during the 1950s, and the differences in treatment of people of different races. They did not ask their patients if they would like to donate their cells, which is what caused Henrietta's cells to be taken. Also, although I was already aware that the treatment of mentally ill people was terrible in the 1950s, but I was disgusted that Henrietta's daughter was actually diagnosed with "idiocy." Henrietta's cells were taken without permission, and were used for many …show more content…
Where I stopped, there were many different stories, some of which very interesting. I think there will be more information about Henrietta's children's lives, and how they grew up. Up to this point, I have enjoyed the sections where the author shares what happens to the children after their mother died, and they have to cope. I hope these stories will continue and progress, but I am aware there won't be much of an ending since it is a factual book. I would like to know the outcomes of Joe and Deborah's lives, after all of the hardships they have been through this far. Mostly, I would like to see more information on the HeLa cells, also information about Henrietta's family. In conclusion, after reading half of the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, I have learned a substantial amount about Henrietta Lacks and how her cells were taken without her permission. I have also been taught about what cells can do, and other facts about medical procedures in the mid 1900s; more than I would have known had I not read the

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