The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Discuss Skloot’s relationship with Deborah and the Lacks family. How does she gain their trust? Find examples of episodes which indicate that Deborah and other family members are beginning to trust Skloot.

What does the book tell us about racism in American society? Try to find examples of racism, both during Henrietta’s lifetime (1920s—1950s) and after her death (1950s—present day). Are the Lacks family now living in an equal society, or do they still experience racism?

What does the book tell us about poverty in American society? Is there a connection between poverty and race? Do the present-day Lacks family members live in better conditions than Henrietta did?

Discuss Elsie’s story. What do we learn about the way in which people with learning disabilities and/or mental illness were treated in the 1940s and 1950s? Was Elsie doubly disadvantaged because of her race?

How does the book explore the issue of ‘informed consent’? How much information should doctors have to give their patients before a procedure takes place?

Discuss the ownership of cells. Does each individual own their cells, even after removal from the body, or are doctors and scientists entitled to use them for research without patient consent? Are patients and their families entitled to a share of the profits if their cells are making a commercial profit? Discuss John Moore and other cases cited in the book, as well as HeLa.

Discuss the relationship between the Lacks family and the scientific community. How have the Lacks family been treated? Try to find examples of both positive and negative treatment.

Compare and contrast Deborah’s feelings about her mother’s cells with the reactions of each of her brothers.