The purpose of this assignment is for you to discuss the following issues from the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It requires that you read the entire book and write a paper that analyzes key themes in the book.
What are the ethical issues underlying this story? How does the era in which this story took place influence how we think about these ethical issues?
What part does race and gender play in how decisions about ethics were made in this case?
Should scientists/physicians in the 1950s be held accountable to contemporary standards of practice? (Because many ethics regulations were not in place at that time) Why or why not?
We bring our own opinions and experiences to how we read and understand a story. In this story, on which side do you find yourself most sympathetic? Why?
Please include:
A full reference citation for this book using American Sociological Association (ASA) Style)
Your name.
In text citations should be in ASA Style
Remember that quotations taken directly from a text should have quotation marks at the beginning and end and the authors’ last name, date and page numbers follow the end quote.
Example: After the magazine article first appeared, until the 1970’s, “the woman behind the HeLa cells would be known most often as Helen Lane, and sometimes as Helen Larson, but never as Henrietta Lacks. And because of that, her family had no idea her cells were alive” (Skloot 2010: 109).
The papers should be at least 700 words (approx. 3 pages double spaced). Please use Times New Roman font, 10-12 point.
Skloot, Rebecca. 2010. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks.