During Skloot and Deborah’s meeting with Christoph Lengauer, Lengauer emphasizes the importance of Henrietta Lacks’s contribution to science and how she is remembered in the medical community. Langauer states, “Whenever we read books about science, it’s always HeLa this and HeLa that. Some people know those are the initials of a person, but they don’t know who that person is. That’s important history.”
Write a 525- to 700-word article that addresses the following:
- Evaluate whether the book effectively illustrates the significance of Henrietta Lacks’s life, her contributions to science, and their impact on her family. Answer the following questions in your evaluation:
- Are there problematic elements as to how Skloot portrays Lacks and her family?
- Do you agree with Lengauer’s quote that it is important to know about Henrietta Lacks? Why or why not?
- Explain how learning about Henrietta Lacks’s story helped you become a more ethical leader.
- Provide 2 to 3 examples of what medical professionals can do to prevent unethical practices.
Use 3 examples from the book to support your response and cite the novel.
Publish the article on your own social media account (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.), or post it on a health care message board of your choice.
Include a citation of your article in your assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is a captivating account of the story of a woman whose cancer cells were taken without her permission and were later used in scientific research. In this article, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the book in illustrating the significance of Henrietta Lacks’s life, her contributions to science, and their impact on her family. We will also discuss the problematic elements as to how Skloot portrays Lacks and her family and explain the importance of knowing about Henrietta Lacks in the medical community. Additionally, we will provide examples of how medical professionals can prevent unethical practices and how learning about Henrietta Lacks’s story can help us become more ethical leaders.
Evaluation of the Book
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” effectively illustrates the significance of Henrietta Lacks’s contribution to science and the impact of her cells on the medical field. The book highlights the importance of informed consent and the need to treat patients with respect and dignity. However, there are some problematic elements in how Skloot portrays Lacks and her family. Skloot uses a narrative style that shifts the focus from Henrietta to her family members, who are largely marginalized throughout the book. Moreover, Skloot reveals personal and intimate details about Lacks’s family without their consent, which raises ethical concerns.
Importance of Knowing About Henrietta Lacks
Lengauer’s quote that it is important to know about Henrietta Lacks is accurate as it highlights the role of Henrietta Lacks and her cells in advancing medical research. Knowing about Henrietta Lacks’s story can help medical professionals recognize the importance of informed consent and ethical considerations in research. Moreover, it can raise awareness about the impact of medical research on vulnerable populations and inspire healthcare professionals to advocate for patient rights.
Learning from Henrietta Lacks’s Story
Learning about Henrietta Lacks’s story can help us become more ethical leaders by emphasizing the importance of informed consent, respect for patient autonomy, and patient-centered care. It can also help us recognize the ethical issues surrounding medical research and contribute to the development of new ethical guidelines in research.
Preventing Unethical Practices
Medical professionals can prevent unethical practices by ensuring that they obtain informed consent from patients before any medical intervention. This includes providing information about the potential risks and benefits of the intervention and allowing patients to make an informed decision about their care. Additionally, medical professionals can advocate for patient rights and encourage discussions about ethical considerations in medical research.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” effectively illustrates the significance of Henrietta Lacks’s contribution to science and the impact of her cells on the medical field. However, the book also raises ethical concerns regarding how Skloot portrays Lacks and her family and the invasion of their privacy. Knowing about Henrietta Lacks’s story is crucial for medical professionals to recognize the importance of informed consent and ethical considerations in research. Additionally, learning from Henrietta Lacks’s story can help us become more ethical leaders, and medical professionals can prevent unethical practices by advocating for patient rights and ethical considerations in medical research.
