Mumsnet Talk

Wow, what a book, a true story. Has any one else read it?

i have...heard about it when it was released and curiousity got the better of me.glad i did.was an amazing story(although i found the technical bits mid book a bit heavy going)

felt bit sad for her family and the way was acceptable to treat "blacks" atthe time.

would recmmend to anyone who likes real life books (as opposed to fiction)!

I have, thought it was amazing. Not only because I really think Henrietta's story is one that everyone should know about, but also the insights into how science and research has changed in the intervening years, from small groups of inspiring scientists in the pursuit of knowledge to big faceless corporations in the pursuit of cash.

Yes tfo, its interesting isn't it? The scientist who took and grew HeLa cells didn't do it for profit but for science's sake. A bit different now.

Hi eveyone.
I read this book last year. I could not put it down. yes it is a little technical,
and upseting at times but at the same time we must note that through the suffering of one poor black woman who I WILL never forget mordern medicine has come a long way. This is a must read.

I want to read this one as I've used loads of them when I was a lab biologist.

Back when I was a first year undergrad we were taught about HeLa cells but told they came from a woman called Helen Lane who had donated them... not sure if the lecturer was simply wrong or that story was being consciously put about by 1993.

Hi Notcitrus.
Do try to read this book. Henrietta Lacks has many name in the book.

nocitrus Helen Lane and Henrietta Lacks are the same person, although she never actually was Helen Lane people just got her name wrong.

Do try and read it, making wild assumptions based on your working background, I imagine you'll find it a good read.

i liked a lot

is this book of hte month though?

furry I know they're the same person; but I've heard that the cells were given the HelenLane name on purpose to disguise the fact that the originator was black and 'donation' isn't the right word to use for non-consensually nicking them.
Will add it to my postnatal reading list...

If anyone is looking for a good read on what it's like being a practising biomedical scientist nowadays, I recommend Egg and Ego by Jonathan Slack - there's a bit of developmental biology (ie embryology) history in it but mainly it's about struggles for funding and getting recognition and publications and his conclusion that you can only get ahead in bio if you are an obnoxious arrogant git - and he includes himself in that analysis! Possibly funnier if you recognise some of the unnamed characters.

Worth a tenner for a second-hand copy, anyway.

Fregley - its certainly the book of my month!

x

Sorry nocitrus I misunderstood. From memory think the Helen Lane question might be one of those, a few theories, no proper answer.

Egg & ego looks like a good read, although I research in the social sciences so unfortunately won't get to enjoy the in jokes!

I loved this book. Really interesting story.