The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Laks By Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot is about an African American woman who had her cells taken without any consent from her or her family to benefit the medical and science field. The Lacks family had no idea about Henrietta’s cells were alive and tested on for all kind of experiments. Henrietta’s case and other similar cases brought up an issue of who has the ownership of the tissue: the patient or the researcher? This issue became serious when researchers and scientists started making profits and having it patented. The argument against giving people legal ownership of their tissues is that everyone benefits from the research. The argument supporting is that it benefits at varying degrees and not all people have equal access to the treatments and medication made possible by tissue and cell research.
There are several consequences of a profit-driven health care system, whether it was intended or unintended. The intended consequence would be scientists and researchers working to make profits instead of working to help people. Besides, profit-driven health care system can lead to unequal access to medication. On the other hand, the unintended consequence would be “…patients blocking the progress of science by holding out for excessive profits” (Skloot, 2010, p. 147)
…show more content…
It is unrealistic because not all people can afford health care, for example the Lacks family because “Henrietta’s family can’t even go see a doctor because they can’t afford it” (Skloot, 2010, p. 180). The quality of health care all depends on what kind of insurance people have and if they have the money to afford it. Also, there are still limitations to treat or cure certain diseases that people have, such as HIV, diabetes, and more, so quality health for all is impossible today. However, many scientists and researchers are working on it to cure those diseases and medical progress has come far compared to the
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks By Rebecca Skloot
1809 Words | 8 PagesThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, HIPAA, is a common term heard around health care today. HIPAA, a privacy rule to protect a person’s health information, is one of the first things that came to my mind when I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. This book, written by Rebecca Skloot, was published in 2010, which was after HIPAA was enacted. The story of Henrietta Lacks starts long before HIPAA, and her name was leaked as the source of what became well-known as HeLa cells. HeLa cells are cancer cells that were removed from Henrietta’s cervix, and were subsequently utilized in research for numerous medical discoveries.
Hela Cells
713 Words | 3 PagesIn “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, Rebecca Skloot analyzes ethics in past scientific/medical studies, specifically Henrietta Lack’s case, to alter the way the reader sees how modern medicine came to be. Doctors took the cancer cells of a young, poor, African-American woman diagnosed with cervix cancer in 1951, without her consent, and used them to grow an immortal cell line that has made millions of dollars and is still used today. Skloot shows the effect Henrietta’s infamous cells (HeLa cells) have had on the scientific community presently and show the negative effect it has had on her family. The author wants the audience be aware of the how an essential cell line used in research was created with great ethical injustice. Skloot wants audiences to learn a little from Henrietta’s story and at least be aware of the ethical scientific issues today to form their own opinion.
'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'
1844 Words | 8 PagesNon fiction novels are great ways to make people aware of real life issues that happen everyday. People face poverty issues, racial issues, and environmental issues everyday of their life and are affected more than others. For example the environment is affected because of the different things people do in their everyday lives, like things that deal with fossil fuels and gas. Another example is race and how people are treated because of their specific race or religion. Issues like these are happening all around the world and most likely can be found in a nearby non-fiction novel.
Health Disparities, An Article By Dr. Christian Dimaano
437 Words | 2 PagesThe main ethical problems are that the cells were taken without Henrietta’s permission, and that her family never received reimbursement for Henrietta’s contribution to
The Pros And Cons Of Socialized Healthcare
276 Words | 2 PagesI believe as a society we have moral obligation to provide healthcare to all the citizens of our nation. How would that become possible is the question? No matter what we choose as the solution to this problem, there will always be pros and cons. I think the answer is socialized medicine. Can a country like the US have socialized medicine?
Single Payer Universal Healthcare System
1605 Words | 7 PagesA Call for a Single Payer Universal Health Care System As the 2016 Presidential Elections draw near, the topic of much debate is that of healthcare. Some candidates vow for universal healthcare and mandate health insurance for all, while others believe that tax credits and health savings accounts will resolve the current crisis. Consequently, the nation has been divided on which plan to support and move forward with. Some fear universal health care will diminish the quality of care and lead to long waits, while others fear that health savings accounts and tax credits won’t be enough to insure all and will do little to diminish the administrative costs of the current system. Ultimately because healthcare is a basic right that should be guaranteed
Universal Healthcare Argument Analysis
412 Words | 2 PagesAs stated before, even though the universal system may decrease the quality of care, at least all citizens can receive equal care. Everyone's health is important, but unfortunately not everyone can receive the care they need. The statistical reasoning presented in the first editorial may convince someone of higher power to allow everyone to receive the healthcare they need and deserve. The universal healthcare system could save many people's lives. Isn't that why people become doctors?
Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
774 Words | 4 PagesStatistically, African American women in the United States suffer from complications or death 243 percent more than white women during maternity. This is a common occurrence that many women and children face, but shouldn’t have too. Rebecca Skloots book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, is an example of the inequality shown to African-American women in the medical world. Specifically, the unequal medical care Henrietta Lacks received, which many other black women experienced. In her book, Skloot suggests that African-American women suffer from psychological effects after receiving unequal medical care, do not receive equal medical treatment during maternity, and are more likely to die from maternal complications.
Henrietta Lacks Violations
609 Words | 3 PagesHenrietta Lacks was an African-American woman whose cells from her cancerous tumor led to many medical advances in the world. The cells led to the HeLa line, which have a crucial role in drug development and toxicity testing (Hunt). Prior to the HeLa line, it was proven impossible to grow human cells in a laboratory for any length of time. The conflict in this amazing discovery is that her cells were taken from her body for medical purposes without her permission. People argue that people have to be given legal ownership of their tissues and given money for them or medical advances made using the tissues.
Henrietta Lacks Discussion Questions
700 Words | 3 PagesWhat are the specific issues raised in the book—legally and ethically? Think about the 1980s John Moore case: the appeal court decision and its reversal by the California Supreme Court. Issues that raised in the book are race issues, the legality of taking adventage of patients who’s family aren’t able to fight for the rights and benefit of their cells. According to California supreme court, Under the duty to obtain informed consent, “a doctor must disclose his intent in using a patient for research and economic gain.” 6.
The Things They Carried, By Zora Neale Hurston
1746 Words | 7 PagesOne major theme authors universally write their stories around concern the power of human relationships. Though writers may take different paths to communicate this, the strength that comes from these unique connections that exist between individuals resonates with everyone. Authors clearly articulate through a myriad of rhetorical devices that maintaining relationships is a fundamental part in personal growth and allows for a stronger sense of self. In finding companionship and comradery. people become capable of evolving and arriving at better understandings of who they are.
Henrietta Lacks Essay On Poverty
1029 Words | 5 PagesPeople all around the world have no chance of surviving simple to treat diseases or sicknesses due to the fact that they can’t afford health insurance. In the book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” it says “...the last thing he remembered before falling unconscious under the anesthesia was a doctor saying his mother’s cells were one of the most important things that had ever happened to medicine. Sonny woke up more than $125,000 in debt because he didn’t have health insurance to cover the surgery (Lacks 306).” This quote shows how people that can’t afford health insurance because they are poor are expected to pay the money for the surgery. His own mother’s cells were the biggest breakthrough in medicine history but her son couldn’t afford health insurance.
Henrietta Lacks Without Her Consent Essay
663 Words | 3 Pages“Was It Illegal for Doctors to Take Cells from Henrietta Lacks Without her Consent?” How can you take cells from a human being and treat them as clothes that you’re just selling. In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot told the story of the woman behind the famous cell line and the fact that her family did not know about Lacks’ immortal cells until more than 20 years after her death. Some believe it was legal to take Mrs. Lacks cells, while others disagree and say it’s illegal. It was definitely illegal for the doctors and scientist to take Henrietta’s cells without her consent.
Henrietta Lacks And Ethics
462 Words | 2 PagesThe final violation of ethical principles, in the story of Henrietta Lacks, was the violation of justice. Without the contribution of Henrietta’s cells, many discoveries and vaccines, such as the vaccine that conquered Polio, would not have made their pivotal breakthroughs in biomedical research. Her direct and unknowingly, supportive contribution helped save many people’s lives all over the world. Unfortunately, her named did not receive the recognition it deserved, and her family never received any compensation for profits made from direct use of her
Informative Speech On Health Care
1043 Words | 5 PagesBut we already pay for healthcare in our taxes collectively and to insurance companies individually, and it's costing us dearly. We hear stories every day now about how someone died because they couldn't afford their medication or treatment. Of people suffering for years because they couldn't afford to see a doctor. We see the wasteland of suffering that our current system has given us, and we can't let the fear of change keep us from doing better, for all of our sakes.
More about The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Laks By Rebecca Skloot
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks By Rebecca Skloot
1809 Words | 8 PagesHela Cells
713 Words | 3 Pages'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'
1844 Words | 8 PagesHealth Disparities, An Article By Dr. Christian Dimaano
437 Words | 2 PagesThe Pros And Cons Of Socialized Healthcare
276 Words | 2 PagesSingle Payer Universal Healthcare System
1605 Words | 7 PagesUniversal Healthcare Argument Analysis
412 Words | 2 PagesRebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
774 Words | 4 PagesHenrietta Lacks Violations
609 Words | 3 PagesHenrietta Lacks Discussion Questions
700 Words | 3 PagesThe Things They Carried, By Zora Neale Hurston
1746 Words | 7 PagesHenrietta Lacks Essay On Poverty
1029 Words | 5 PagesHenrietta Lacks Without Her Consent Essay
663 Words | 3 PagesHenrietta Lacks And Ethics
462 Words | 2 PagesInformative Speech On Health Care
1043 Words | 5 Pages