Comments on: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Skloot on ABC World News Tonight! Plus Lots of Review Love

By: Jonathan Manuel Morales

Jonathan Manuel Morales — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:40:22 +0000

WoW… I was just at the Diversity Alliance for Science Event. It was really awesome to hear Skloot speak at the podium for a good 20 minutes. Skloot you will touch many different hearts in so many different way’s. Thank you for staying committed on getting this book done. FYI-I have not read the book YET but, I sure will read this one.. And I don’t even like to read..LOL.. And no I’am not even into Science.. But, maybe this will strike something in me.

By: Abel Pharmboy

Abel Pharmboy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:51:54 +0000

Nia, I also write a blog here at the ScienceBlogs network and we have all been having issues with some comments from our readers not showing up. Also, if you include a URL in your comment, spam filters sometimes will hold it up from being posted until the author manually approves it.
And even though you personally know the story, I encourage you to read Rebecca’s book at some point to understand just how committed she was to telling the story of Ms. Lacks and the entire family – and telling the story *with* the family, most importantly. She pulls no punches about who might be accountable and exposes every step of the history for all to see. She is also deeply devoted to being sure that Henrietta’s descendants are recognized appropriately.

By: Rebecca Skloot

Rebecca Skloot — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:55:14 +0000

Sorry, Nia, but no one is censoring comments here. They all go up. And have a look at The Henrietta Lacks Foundation, which I started and am donating portions of the book's proceeds to - the descendants of Henrietta Lacks are the primary beneficiaries, and it will provide scholarship money for them to go to school, help with health care, etc. You can learn more about it at http://www.henriettalacksfoundation.org

By: nia redmond

nia redmond — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:49:32 +0000

Personally Know the story. Know the family. Posted on this
site last week. Live in Hopkins urban renewal area,under
eminent domain toward the creation of Hopkins Biotech Park.
A little disappointed that you have chosen to censure
comments. Speaks volumes concerning your openness to
free speech and holding Hopkins accountable for this
families’ entrenched unaddressed poverty.
Sorry. You may make the money, may get the acclaim, but
you definitely missed the karmic mark.
namasate

By: DVMKurmes

DVMKurmes — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:16:40 +0000

I am nearly finished with the book and really enjoyed it. Even as a veterinarian I sometimes encounter people who fear that i am “experimenting” or somehow otherwise exploiting their pets. This book has helped me to understand these fears better and will make me more sensitive to such fears.
I was of course touched by the Lacks family stories, but was also surprised to be touched by the picture of Mary Kubicek (my mother was also named Mary, and worked in a medical school lab in the early 50′s, and looked like she could have been Mary Kubicek’s sister). I also have a relative who is a retired geneticist who has worked with HeLa cells. I think a copy of the book and a donation to the foundation would be a wonderful present for him. It is rare for a book to touch me on so many levels, but this one did. Thanks.

By: Shannon Larkin

Shannon Larkin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:51:20 +0000

Rebecca, I’m about halfway through the book. It’s absolute torture for me to put it down. I’m so glad you wrote this, and can’t wait for your next one. But I hope it doesn’t take ten years.

By: delores

delores — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:53:05 +0000

Please update your tour schedule — would love to see you when you get to SF (CA) … This is really exciting and I’m so looking forward to learning more about this amazing story.

By: norahmcmeeking

norahmcmeeking — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:17:11 +0000

I haven’t read your book yet, just the reviews, but here’s a suggestion for your next one: Mrs. Henri Matisse. While watching a documentary about Henri Mattise, mention was made about his first wife, who was a member of the French Underground, was captured and imprisoned by the Germans, and who escaped from that prison. Add to that that she was the driving force behind the early part of the famous painter’s career, and I think you have a biography that will be fascinating. I want to read it, but no one’s written it. Perhaps you will!

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:05:17 +0000

Sherman: this isnt a debate forum, but clearly you misunderstood the intent of my comment. Most assuredly, Henrietta and “Day” Lacks were not “nothing” to their friends, family and cultural community. But they WERE treated as “nothing” (meaning insignificant, less than worthy) by those who imposed and enforced segregation.
No amount of money could purchase a black man or woman a seat on the main floor of a segregated movie theater, a drink from a “Whites Only” water fountain, or medical care at a hospital that refused to treat black americans.
Read the book. Maybe that will help you understand my comment.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:15:44 +0000

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/04/baby.dna.government/index.html?hpt=C2 Do you see this story about story the DNA of babies as in any way related?