The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

[crapbarry]

is anyone else reading this? I picked it up in a special offer at Sainsburys, and it's amazing so far.

It's the story of the woman from whom HeLa cells were isolated, and tells the story of her and her family's life, and the life of the cells after she died.

I read it on holiday in the summer.Such a sad tale and the book also raises very interesting questions about who owns your DNA and how they can exploit it for profit.

This is on my 'to read' list,it looks really interesting.How much is it in Sainsburys?

it's in the 2 for 7 pounds offer - I got the latest Marian Keyes too :o

Thanks crapbarry,I have bought it and am looking forward to 5 minutes peace to get stuck into it.

LOVED IT

read it a few months ago

I'm about halfway through - what an amazing story.I'm off to lie in the bath with it for a bit.It is the sort of book that you don't want to finish.

it's a very moving story - I find it particulalry interesting as I've just been investigating cell lineages at work, although mine are infectious diseases isolated from animals, it's still fascinating to wonder about the source of the cells.

I also thought it showed how life is so unfair - her philandering husband who gave her the syphilis etc that probably triggered her cervical cancer lived well into his 80's.

I just started it yesterday (also bought it on offer in Sainsburys) so good to hear people saying positive things about it. I'm having no problem getting into it ..

I finished this on Friday.What a story!I had the same thought as you haggis,it was very unfair.

I found it hard to understand the 'naivety' of her children regarding the cells,general suspicion of Drs and the idea of 'their mother' being blasted into space ect.Then I thought about it a bit harder and realized that they were coming at it from a totally different angle from me.I am a well educated person who hasn't had to deal with discrimination,the early loss of her mother and lies and cover ups.On the other hand,her children suffered childhood cruelty,had little education,and came from a background where segregation and experiments on black people had occured within living memory.Their attitude made sense once I put myself in their shoes.

I couldn't believe I'd never heard of these cells. All so unfair!

Every woman has to read this book!

I have just finished it and I feel lost! desperate to know whether the family have had any money or recognition from the American Government or the medical research companies!

Brilliant book! Should be on the Literacy and Science curriculum in all schools.

i like da lot too
read last winter