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This is a fascinating story about a black woman in the 1950's and the cancer cells taken from her by a doctor who creates trillions of labratory cells sold around the world and used in labratories today. It's quite an introduction to the medical practices of the 1950's and the prevailing racism of that time. Incredible read so far. I have to say, having finished it now, it goes on a little too long for me--probably 50 pages--and it really paints a picture of the family as more than a little kook
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This is not a book I would pick to read on my own, but I read it for my book club. It was an interesting subject matter about medical research and the effects on people, particularly Henrietta Lacks' family. This book made me think about medical/genetic research, informed consent, and the effects on families when privacy is not given and particularly the time period of the 1950's. I liked the book overall though I have to say some of the science did go over my head.
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