Article archive / December 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 4. Source pages: 12.
Donna Thomas, PhD Department Chair, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences George and Jean Baldwin Endowed Associate Professor Louisiana Tech University The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
“I recently finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It is a fascinating account of Mrs. Lacks' incredibly viable cells, harvested without her consent during her treatment for cervical cancer. Her cells have been used for years to research cancer, AIDS, gene mapping, and more; all without her knowledge and without any benefit to her or her family. Henrietta was poor, uneducated, and Black. The story of her family's struggles contrasts with the robust nature of her bodily tissues to make an intriguing story of the development of medical ethics, particularly informed consent, and a family's search for truth and understanding.”
[Editors note: Both Dr. Thomas and Dr. Hammond recommended this book, along with others. So, it is a top recommendation for psychologists!]
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.