The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is a compelling narrative that blends science, biography, and ethics. The book uncovers the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor African American woman whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine. Known as HeLa cells, they contributed to countless scientific breakthroughs, including the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, cloning, and gene mapping.

Skloot intricately weaves together Henrietta’s life, her family’s ongoing struggle for recognition, and the profound questions about race, consent, and the commercialization of human biology. Through vivid storytelling and deep investigative research, the book reveals how one woman’s legacy changed the world and challenges us to reconsider the ethics of scientific discovery.