Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—The Friends of the Library in Ludlow invite the public to its September book discussion on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Rebecca Skloot has written a book considered by many to be the best book published in 2010—“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Henrietta Lacks was a poor tobacco farmer who died at 31 of cervical cancer leaving five children behind. Without her knowledge, her cells were taken by scientists at Johns Hopkins in 1951 for medical research.
These cells were very important tools in the development of knowledge about genes which cause cancer; helped to discover drugs for treating herpes, leukemia, influenza, hemophilia; and used to study lactose digestion, appendicitis, sexually transmitted diseases and many others.
These cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown. This bestseller tells a compelling story that is connected to a story of conflict of ethics, race and medicine. It is part of a dark period of history—medical experimentation on African Americans. Her descendants today live in obscurity, see no profits and feel violated.
This is an important book with many ethical questions. Please join for an interesting evening at the Fletcher Memorial Library, 88 Main St., Ludlow. Books are available at the library.
For more information, call the library at 802-228-8921.
Ethical questions to be discussed at September book meeting
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