HeLa 3

I was worried when we were assigned this book. Some of the medical articles that we have been reading take as long as a book to read, so when I saw that we only had three class days to read Skloot’s book, I wasn’t lacking any anxiety. But since Skloot made her book a story, it went by very quick. Not only was skloot’s book a quick read, it was accessible. In Rebecca’s acknowledgments, she mentions an individual named Lee that helped her to “care deeply” about story structure (340).  I think anyone else that found this read understandable, and hard to put down, owes some thanks to Lee. I also like how Skloot leaves any personal bias out of it. It is hard to determine where Skloot stands on the issue of if a patient has a right to their tissues or specimens taken from their bodies. It is also difficult to determine if Skloot thinks a patient should receive any profits made from their contributions to science. I have not read Washington’s chapter on HeLa, but I can already guess that it’s very biased. I imagine Washington thinks the Lacks were wronged and deserve compensation more than anything else. If I were to read a biology book and it mentioned Henrietta Lacks or the HeLa cell line, I would probably forget the name and cell line as soon as I set the book down. But after reading Skloot’s interpretation, I doubt I will ever forget who Henrietta Lacks was and her contribution to Science. I am comfortable in my belief that that’s what Rebecca Skloot set out to do. Skloot’s book should be a model for any medical historian. Any medical topic can be tough to digest, as mentioned some of the articles we read for class were brutal. Some were long and/or complex and; therefore, inaccessible. Other articles and Skloot’s book differed; they offered a story and intertwined it with science and medicine. In return, I walked away with not only knowledge, but a meaning behind that knowledge.

Domalski

A Village of Henriettas

In Chapter 29, a couple things that Henrietta's daughter Deborah said in the book have stuck out for me. She says, “I do want to go see them cells, but I’m not ready yet.” Also, when Skloot goes for Henrietta's medical records Deborah says, “We ain’t ready for that!" What do you think is the significance or meaning behind what Deborah is saying? Why do you think she wasn't ready?

- Josh Steffen

The root of all evil.

Money in and of itself does not corrupt people.  It is the context of economic system in which money is scarce and hence hoarded at increasingly socially devastating costs.

I was intrigued to witness some classmates bringing up economics today and how corporations(including hospitals, drug companies, and food "manufacturers") owe profit to their shareholders before owing quality and safety to their customers.   Large corporations are always calculating "risk assessments" to see whether it would cost more to protect their customers/consumers up front or if the cost would be greater in legal defenses or settlements.  So, unfortunately it is in the best interest of the medical community to keep people sick or even make them sick so patients keep coming back for more and paying their dues.  Most of this may not even be on purpose, but rather the fact the that doctors are so crunched for time that they rarely question the standard treatments taken for granted or aren't up-to-date with studies surrounding new "medicines" drug companies target at them.

It is important to understand that the way these corporations practice business is not conspiratorial in any sense.  They're not inherently evil and out to get you, but rather they are perpetuating a tendency which is determined by the pressure of the economic system and psychological/cultural values rewarded by the system.

If you want to begin understanding economics as the cause of social injustice and inhumane behavior please set aside 5 hours this weekend and watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EewGMBOB4Gg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w&feature=player_embedded

~ John

What does Wonder Woman deserve?

 Compensation- The act of compensating or the state of being compensated. What should Henrietta's  family receive for their mothers stolen cells? I don't know,but i think somehow they should be given peace. Deborah said that she never forgave her father for not taking care of her mother, for putting her in a unmarked grave. I believe that the hospital should give Henrietta a proper place to rest. I think it would make Henrietta's and Deborah's souls happy if they at least do that. I do not know if there should be a museum dedicated for her or a free women clinic in her honor. If we honor Mrs.Lacks do we as a society have to honor every woman who has come before and every women who has donated after? Where do we draw the line? I Wonder?
-Sarah Fiorella 

A Christmas Carol - Bad Karma

I really thought it was interesting what Joyce was saying about Henrietta karma. While reading the book I could the author did a nice job at incorporating Henrietta's soul in the book. Even thought the book was to teach us about the women how gave us so much,I think by adding personal parts about how her soul was still looking out for her cells made the point even clearer. I think Henrietta's story a story we can all learn from. I think than its more than just telling a story about a African American women being taken advantage of by her husband, and doctors. I think it is a lesson that we should all take with us about how not to become a victim in your life or with medical advice. I know there was no other option for Henrietta but, I think because of her there became more options. She was the victim who is saving other victims.... The World.
-Sarah Fiorella

Bad karma

The book about Henrietta Lacks certainly shows what can happen when people do not follow good sense.  I was constantly amazed by the lack of good judgment shown by the various people in this book: the grandfather allowing his grandchildren to all sleep in the same room, the women in Lacks town who did not intercede and advise Henrietta when she was young, preacher for marrying first cousins, the list seems endless.  Talk about having bad karma.  

Joyce Abbott

HeLa 2

     I have been reading some peoples blogs about Rebecca Skloot’s book. I am finding that many are appalled that the doctor’s took advantage of Henrietta Lacks and her family. Specifically, the act of taking Henriettas’ cells without permission. On the contrary, I don’t necessarily see it as an inexcusable act, nor do I view George Gey with disgust. What appalls me is that Henrietta has not received the recognition that she deserves. I think Rebecca Skloot (granted I have not read the part III yet) wanted to put a human being behind the cells; the individual that has helped to make medical advances discussed in Skloot’s book. So I guess I would say that the biggest injustice done to Henrietta, and her kin, is lack of recognition. Skloot has done an excellent job in her book affording Henrietta dignity. Then again, it is hard for me to view my body as my own personal property. It helps that I am more spiritual than religious. Also, being in the Army, I have been forced to give blood, directed to receive multiple vaccinations, and give up some wisdom teeth. I remember when we were in Iraq; we were told that we had to receive Anthrax vaccinations. Well some of us refused. Our commander then had to call us all in a formation, and read the directive. Long story short, if we didn’t take the vaccination we would be punished under the uniform code of military justice. It was BS, for the only information that I have been able to find about the side effects are all relayed on military sponsored web-sites. So I guess it has to do with personal experiences and beliefs where one stands on personal property. I know that if we had an outbreak of a terrible disease, and I had miracle cells, and my doctor took some tissue without my permission, I wouldn’t be terribly upset. I also wouldn’t expect money. What I would expect, is to go down in history as the guy with the miracle cell that saved the human race…ok a little dramatic…but once again clarifying my point, and what I think Rebeccal Skloot set out to do; not harp on the injustices, but ensure Henrietta Lacks is known as the person behind HeLa and; therefore, goes down in History.
Domalski