The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

On Monday night, the Community Center welcomed author Rebecca Skloot to speak about her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Skloot, along with members of the family of Henrietta Lacks (about whom the book was written), and representatives from the Johns Hopkins Institute of Bioethics were in attendance to speak about this incredible story and the implications it holds for the health care debate, and for social justice in general. In typical Community Center fashion, the place was packed, there was hardly a seat to be had, and CBS Sunday Morning even came out to film! (though I don’t think I got on camera, I was too busy finding folding chairs for everyone…oh well, my time to shine will come!)

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman living in East Baltimore during the first half of the 20th century. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer by doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and she died in 1951 in her early thirties. Before she died, doctors took some samples of her tissue to run tests (without her knowledge), and they eventually discovered that Henrietta’s cells were “immortal,” meaning that, basically, they don’t die. Doctors and scientists put them in numerous test tubes and Petri dishes and the result was always the same; Henrietta’s cells outlasted all others.

This, of course, excited doctors, and soon her cells were being grown and shipped all over the world in order to be tested on and experimented with. Lack’s cells, which were eventually knicknamed “HeLa” (for HEnrietta LAcks), were even flown into outer space. Though Hopkins has claimed that the hospital never made any financial gain from the distribution of her cells, it can be assumed that millions of dollars have been exchanged because of the work that continues to be done with these cells.

The issue that Skloot is trying to grapple with in this book is the issue of bring Henrietta's story to life. Primarily, she was able to tell the story of a woman whose own descendants were not aware of, not to mention the millions of people who have worked with HeLa cells. She succeeded in giving life to a woman who has been dead for sixty years, though her cells continue to live on.

Most of the questions from the audience were centered on recognition and compensation, and here is where I think this story fits into a larger perspective. Fact: though many people (doctors, scientists, etc.) have benefited financially and intellectually from the existence of Lacks’ cells, the Lacks family has not. Fact: the Lacks family is struggling economically, and cannot afford healthcare. Fact: Henrietta’s own son, Sonny, has a $100,000 hospital bill, and is uninsured.

The question is, how does this story get resolved? Many people in the audience were calling for Hopkins to financially repay the Lacks family for Henrietta’s cells, but the hospital is currently not prepared to do so. As I think more about this story, the issue becomes more complex, and the questions become more difficult to answer. The initial act of taking her cells occurred over sixty years ago; how long is too long to give credit to someone? HeLa cells are currently not patented; should the Lacks family patent them, or are they in such widespread use that it would be like someone trying to patent water?

And what does this story say about a system that allows the cells of a woman to be fundamental in numerous medical innovations that have saved countless lives, yet that woman’s family can’t afford to see a doctor?

Though I believe all these complex questions about rights and property and science need to be addressed, I think that the public image of Johns Hopkins Hospital would go a long way if it just took care of the Lacks family’s medical bills. Hopkins has claimed it never profited off of Henrietta; I don’t think that matters. As a leader in science, medicine, and education, as well as being arguably the most recognizable name in the city of Baltimore, I feel it would do wonders for its relationship with the public if it took care of Sonny’s bills, and made sure that this family does not want for anything medically-related. They are not asking for much, just some security for their health (hey, isn’t that what everyone in this country is asking for?). Come on, Hopkins, it’s the least you can do.

I had mentioned to Mr. Moore earlier in the day that I might be interested in reading this book, and like the wonderful boss he is, he ended up buying me a copy! So of course I got it signed by Skloot and the members of the Lacks family (including Henrietta’s great-granddaughter), and I can’t wait to start reading it. I’ll let you know how it is.

Also, this story should be airing on CBS Sunday Morning sometime in March. Keep an eye out for it!- and you’ll also be able to see Rebecca Skloot speak into the American Idol karaoke machine microphone that I use for my music class! See, I am famous!