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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot



In her poignant account, Rebecca Skloot sheds light on how the biopharma industry has trampled on bodily autonomy, building their empires on the backs of individuals without their consent. Skloot's book tells the stories of unsung heroes in medical science and exposes the atrocities committed against marginalised communities.

Skloot sensitively records the tragic loss of Henrietta Lacks, whose fundamental right to bodily integrity was ignored by society. It is a story of incomprehensible oppression and ignorance, where doctors watched patients die, solely to study the disease prognosis. This was evident in the Tuskegee experiments on untreated syphilis, which took place in the United States between 1932 and 1972.

The biopharma industry made incalculable sums of money by taking Henrietta's cells without her knowledge or consent. The ongoing ethical and legal battle raises the question of how to balance scientific advancement with individual freedom. Sadly, commercial interests often overshadow this debate, as is the case with the current discussion on the ongoing use of our behavioral data. Tech companies sell personal data for profit, promising their buyers control and predictive power.

Henrietta Lacks is the true hero of science, and her story highlights the importance of acknowledging the people whose sacrifices have paved the way for scientific advancement. Rather than focusing solely on the edifice of science, we must recognize the individuals whose lives and bodies have been exploited. 

"Down, down, down they go. Into the darkness of the grave. The beautiful, the tender, the kind. Quietly they go the intelligence, the witty, the brave."  Edna St. Vincent Millay's 

Honour Henrietta Lacks. 

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