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“Science writing is often just about 'the facts.' Skloot's book is far deeper, braver, and more wonderful...Made my hair stand on end.”
—Lisa Margonelli, New York Times Book Review
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Archive for the ‘Policy’ Category

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Patent Dispute Prevents Patients From Getting Promising Drug for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Speaking of the debate over patents interfering with medical care: A promising new drug for treating Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) is not available to patients due to a patent dispute.


Friday, May 15th, 2009

New Breast Cancer Gene Lawsuit Aims to End to All Gene Patenting. Will it Succeed?

The ACLU has launched a suit against the holder of the breast cancer gene patent with hopes of stopping the practice of gene patenting. Skloot covers the suit, its history, and its odds of success.


Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

“Seeing Eye Horse” – Good Morning America Segment on Non-Canine Service Animals Misses Key Issues

Good Morning America’s segment today on non-canine service animals was a classic oversimplification of a complex story that makes one of the most common media mistakes: it focuses on the quirk without getting into any of the serious issues involved.


Saturday, February 28th, 2009

Producer Seeks Non-Canine Service Animal Users for Documentary Film

A documentary film is being planned based on my recent NYTimes Magazine story on the use of non-canine service animals. It’s producers are looking for subjects to interview.


Saturday, February 7th, 2009

Science in Jeopardy — Protest Proposed Funding Cuts

The new stimulus package includes serious cuts to science funding (like nixing 100% of the National Science Foundation’s $$).  This — as an old family [...]


Thursday, February 5th, 2009

DOJ Withdraws ADA Changes That Would Ban Non-Canine Service Animals

The Department of Justice has withdrawn its proposed ADA regulations that would have banned the use of assistance monkeys, birds, miniature horses, etc.


Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

New DOJ Head

A few hours ago, Joe Biden swore in the new head of the Department of Justice — the first African American Attorney General in history. [...]


Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

ADA Changes Not Approved Before Obama Innaguration

Because the sweeping DOJ changes to the Americans With Disabilities Act were the only Bush Administration regulations under review that weren’t approved before Obama was inaugurated as president today, monkeys, miniature horses, parrots, ducks and everything else can legally qualify as service animals (for now)


Saturday, January 17th, 2009

DOJ’s Proposed Ban of Non-canine Service Animals Is Bad News for Disabled Muslims

The question of service animal species also turns out to be a question of religious freedom


Friday, January 9th, 2009

Service Animals on the Radio, a Horse Fetching a Beer, Plus Blog Maintenance Downtime

Links to updates, radio interviews and a funny video while ScienceBlogs is down for an upgrade.


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About the Book

Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-dollar industry. More than twenty years later, her children found out. Their lives would never be the same.

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