choose 2 question and write 1~2pages (double-space)
1.Race and racism are woven throughout the book, both in the story presented and in the
process of the research for the book. Skloot was yet another white person asking the
Lacks family about Henrietta. How do you feel about a white woman creating the
narrative of this story? How did her race help or hinder Skloot in the writing and
researching of the book?
2. What role did the deferential attitude toward doctors in the early 20th century play in the
interaction between Henrietta and her family and Johns Hopkins? How has that attitude
toward doctors changed over the decades? Do patients' socioeconomic differences affect
the relationship today?
3. Today the definition of 'informed consent' remains murky. What did you learn about
what it means or doesn't mean? What does it mean to you?
4. In the years since the uniqueness of Henrietta Lacks's cells were discovered, others have
been identified with cells that are valuable on the research market. In Chapter Five,
Skloot details the history of John Moore, whose cells produced rare proteins, and Ted
Slavin, whose cells produced valuable antibodies. All three cases are quite different in
many ways, including how their doctors used the information. Should individuals be able
to profit from their own cells? Should their doctors? With consent? Do you think
Henrietta would have provided consent for her cells to be taken and used had she been
asked?
5. Making health care affordable to all Americans has been a recent political focus. What
does the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family add to this discussion?