Description
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is an award-winning narrative non-fiction work that combines biography, medical history and investigative journalism. The book tells the extraordinary true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa, revolutionising modern medicine.
Skloot explores both the scientific breakthroughs made possible by HeLa cells and the deeply troubling ethical issues surrounding consent, race and medical exploitation. Alongside the history of scientific advancement, the book also follows Henrietta’s family as they grapple with the lasting consequences of her unwitting contribution to global medical research.
A bestselling and widely acclaimed work, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks offers a powerful examination of science, justice and human dignity. It is essential reading for those interested in medical history, ethics and deeply personal true stories that reveal the human cost behind scientific progress.
