The Immortal Life of HEnrietta LAcks--a must read

[Nancy L]

I just finished this book and I think it is a MUST read for everyone on this journey. It really answered a lot of questions I have had about how science has been able to discover some of the drugs and tests that have benefitted so many of us including Herceptin, Taxol drugs and the Fish test. It is a non fiction book that reads like a novel---I couldn't put it down. You don't have to be a biologist to understand the technical material in this book and the chapters describing Henrietta, her life and medical ethics were wonderfully written. It said in the description of the author that the book is being made by Oprah into and HBO film but I haven't heard about it yet---have any of you???

[KDR]

Nancy,
I haven't read the book, but last year or the year before, Newsday (our local NYC/Long Island) newspaper had an article about Ms. Lacks. I was so moved by it that I forwarded it on to a friend. I am glad to see that many more will experience her legacy. Thanks for posting.
Karen

[Paty]

Next time I am in the US, i will look for it. Thanks for the tip.

[KDR]

I cut it out of the paper and sent to my friend in Pennsylvania. I'll see if she still has it, and maybe I can scan it in. I believe it was in Part II of the paper--I tried net searching but nothing came up, probably because it was an article within the paper.
Riveting, indeed.
Karen

[Jackie07]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Immortal_Life_of_Henrietta_Lacks

[Gerri]

I just finished this book and agree with Nancy - fascinating account of the impact one woman's cancer cells has had on science. Easy to read and understand. Amazing story!