"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" is a book
by Rebecca Skloot that was adapted into a movie in 2017. The story is based on
the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman who lived in the
mid-20th century. Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1951 and received
treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. During her
treatment, doctors took a sample of her cancerous cells without her knowledge
or consent. These cells, which were named HeLa, were found to be incredibly
resilient and were used in scientific research for decades.
The movie follows the story of Henrietta Lacks and the impact
of her cells on the scientific community. It also explores the ethical
implications of using a person's cells for research without their knowledge or
consent. The movie features a number of well-known actors, including Oprah
Winfrey, Rose Byrne, and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Overall, "The Immortal
Life of Henrietta Lacks" is a thought-provoking movie that tells the story
of a woman whose cells have had a profound impact on the scientific community.
It also raises important questions about ethics in scientific research and the
rights of individuals.
One of the central themes of the movie is the impact of HeLa
cells on the scientific community. HeLa cells were the first human cells to be
successfully cultured in a laboratory, and they have been used in countless
experiments since. These experiments have led to numerous scientific
breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine and the discovery
of the double helix structure of DNA. However, the use of HeLa cells has also
been the source of controversy, as the cells were taken without Henrietta
Lacks' consent and her family was not made aware of their use until many years
later.
Another important theme in the movie is the impact of HeLa
cells on Henrietta Lacks' family. Henrietta Lacks passed away in 1951, but her
cells continued to be used in scientific research for decades. Her family was
not aware of this until the 1970s, when they were contacted by a researcher who
was studying HeLa cells. This revelation was shocking and difficult for the
family to process, and they struggled to come to terms with the fact that
Henrietta Lacks' cells were still alive and being used in research long after
her death.
The movie also explores the ethical implications of using a
person's cells for scientific research without their knowledge or consent. This
is a complex issue that raises many questions about the rights of individuals
and the role of the scientific community in respecting those rights. The movie
does not provide easy answers to these questions, but it does highlight the
need for open and transparent communication between researchers and the public.
There are several characters in the movie "The Immortal
Life of Henrietta Lacks," which is based on the book of the same name by
Rebecca Skloot. The main character is Henrietta Lacks, an African American
woman who lived in the mid-20th century. Henrietta is diagnosed with cervical
cancer and receives treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where doctors take a
sample of her cancerous cells without her knowledge or consent. These cells,
known as HeLa, are incredibly resilient and are used in scientific research for
decades.
Another important character in the movie is Deborah Lacks,
Henrietta's daughter. Deborah is the narrator of the movie and is determined to
learn more about her mother's life and the impact of her cells on the
scientific community. She is played by Oprah Winfrey.
Other characters in the movie include:
Dr. George Gey, the scientist who first cultured Henrietta's
cells and named them HeLa.
Dr. Roland Pattillo, the doctor who treated Henrietta for
cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Howard Jones, the doctor who performed the first
successful in vitro fertilization using HeLa cells.
Dr. Michael Rogers, a researcher who studies HeLa cells and
contacts Henrietta's family in the 1970s.
Deborah's husband, Zakariyya, who is skeptical of Deborah's
quest to learn more about her mother's life.
Henrietta's husband, Day, who is devastated by Henrietta's
death and struggles to support their children.
Henrietta's children, including her son Lawrence, who is
angry about the use of his mother's cells without her consent.
Rebecca Skloot, the author of the book "The Immortal
Life of Henrietta Lacks" who befriends Deborah and helps her learn more
about her mother's life.
Overall, the movie features a diverse cast of characters who
are all affected by Henrietta Lacks' cells in different ways. Some, like
Deborah, are determined to learn more about her mother's life, while others,
like Henrietta's husband Day, are struggling to come to terms with her legacy.