Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the reason Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital?
What was the reason Henrietta Lacks went to Johns Hopkins Hospital?
She complained about a knot in her womb after recently giving birth.
Where was Henrietta Lacks born?
Where was Henrietta Lacks born?
What stage of cancer was Henrietta diagnosed with?
What stage of cancer was Henrietta diagnosed with?
Stage 1 cancer of the cervix.
Henrietta's cells, known as HeLa, were kept alive with the help of Mary Kubicek.
Henrietta's cells, known as HeLa, were kept alive with the help of Mary Kubicek.
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What treatment did Dr. Jones use for Henrietta's cancer?
What treatment did Dr. Jones use for Henrietta's cancer?
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What did Henrietta feel was happening to her body during her illness?
What did Henrietta feel was happening to her body during her illness?
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What did Gey tell Henrietta about her cells?
What did Gey tell Henrietta about her cells?
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What did Skloot realize she needed to do after meeting Pattillo?
What did Skloot realize she needed to do after meeting Pattillo?
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Henrietta's cells were used in space experiments.
Henrietta's cells were used in space experiments.
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What did Gey's media appearances focus on?
What did Gey's media appearances focus on?
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How long did Skloot's journey to find out about Henrietta Lacks take?
How long did Skloot's journey to find out about Henrietta Lacks take?
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What was the relationship between Deborah and Henrietta?
What was the relationship between Deborah and Henrietta?
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Study Notes
Chapter 1: The Exam
- Henrietta Lacks visits Johns Hopkins Hospital, seeking treatment for a cervical mass after childbirth.
- Jim Crow laws influence her choice of hospital, as it was one of the few that accepted Black patients.
- Doctor Howard Jones diagnoses her with several incurable diseases.
Chapter 2: Clover
- Born Henrietta Pleasant in 1920, Virginia; her family moved to Clover, leading to a split.
- Grew up in poverty, working tobacco fields with her grandfather.
- Married at twenty and had two children before moving to Maryland.
Chapter 3: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Doctor Jones discovers stage 1 cervical cancer in Henrietta.
- Richard TeLinde and George Gey pursue research on human cells due to rapid death of other cells.
- Henrietta receives radical treatment involving radium, while samples are collected for research.
Chapter 4: The Birth of HeLa
- HeLa cells are named after Henrietta by Mary Kubicek, Gey's assistant.
- Cells rapidly multiply in the lab, showing potential for scientific research.
- Gey's innovative methods include capturing cell division on camera.
Chapter 5: Blackness be Spreadin All Inside
- Henrietta continues to work in Clover despite her declining health.
- She experiences personal hardships, including the institutionalization of her daughter Elsie.
- Henrietta’s health deteriorates, causing significant physical pain.
Chapter 6: Lady's on the Phone
- Decades later, author Rebecca Skloot seeks to connect with Henrietta’s family.
- Initial contact with Deborah Lacks is promising but complicated by family mistrust.
- Skloot faces barriers when interacting with Henrietta's husband, Day.
Chapter 7: The Death and Life of Cell Culture
- Gey demonstrates HeLa cells on television, gaining international attention.
- HeLa cells proliferate in labs globally, sparking ethical concerns amidst past scientific frauds.
- Alexis Carrel's controversial work in cell culture is critiqued, contrasting with Gey's findings.
Chapter 8: A Miserable Specimen
- Henrietta is misled about her cancer diagnosis due to "benevolent deception."
- Despite ongoing treatments, her condition worsens, and she struggles with severe pain.
- Gey informs her of the immortal nature of her cells, which brings her a sense of pride.
Chapter 9: Turner Station
- Skloot explores Henrietta's past, visiting her former neighborhoods.
- Local residents express varying degrees of knowledge about Henrietta’s legacy.
- Plans for a museum honoring Henrietta Lacks surface as interest grows.
Chapter 10: The Other Side of Tracks
- A visit to Clover leads Skloot to Henrietta's cousin, Hector "Cootie" Henry.
- Cootie shares memories of Henrietta, painting her as kind and caring.
- Ethereal beliefs surrounding Henrietta's illness are discussed, showing cultural attitudes toward health.
Chapter 11: The Devil of Pain Itself
- Emmet Lacks witnesses Henrietta’s rapid decline and notes her strength.
- Henrietta urges family to care for her children as she nears death.
- She passes away on October 4, 1951, leaving a profound impact on her family.
Chapter 12: The Storm
- Family grapples with loss, and Day reluctantly gives consent for cell research.
- Henrietta's remains are treated with disrespect during the autopsy process.
- Severe weather disrupts her funeral and underscores the family's hardships.
Chapter 13: The HeLa Factory
- HeLa cells become instrumental in the development of polio vaccines.
- HeLa cell production becomes a commercial enterprise, leading to widespread usage across labs.
- The discovery of chromosomal information from HeLa cells changes genetics research.
Chapter 14: Helen Lane
- Media misidentification of Henrietta occurs, officially labeling her as Helen Lane.
- Gey avoids discussing Henrietta’s identity, focusing on scientific advancements.
- Henrietta's real identity remains obscured for decades.
Chapter 15: Too Young to Remember
- Following Henrietta’s death, her children face numerous adversities, including illness and trauma.
- Ethel Lacks mistreats her children, leading to dire consequences for Joe, Lawrence, and Deborah.
- Family turmoil ensues, revealing the impact of Henrietta's legacy on her offspring.
Chapter 16: Spending Eternity in the Same Place
- Skloot uncovers Henrietta’s neglected grave and the lack of recognition of her contributions.
- Discussions with descendants of slave owners highlight enduring social disparities.
- Henrietta’s legacy faces challenges in being acknowledged within the community.
Chapter 17: Illegal, Immoral, and Deplorable
- Chester Southam conducts unethical tests on patients using HeLa cells without consent.
- The experiments mirror past human rights violations, including Nazi practices.
- Ethical boundaries in medical research come into question, reflecting on trust.
Chapter 18: Strangest Hybrid
- HeLa cells are taken into space to study their behavior in microgravity.
- A mix-up in cell labeling leads to contamination and confusion in research.
- Scientists experiment with hybrid cells, examining the cellular genetic interactions.
Chapter 19: The Most Critical Time on this Earth is Now
- Deborah faces personal struggles as a teenager, compounded by family issues.
- Joe's criminality stems from abuse and neglect after Henrietta's death.
- Deborah's life is marked by hardship, yet she strives for independence.
Chapter 20: The HeLa Bomb
- Stanley Carter discovers HeLa contamination in various laboratory cultures.
- Contaminated cultures highlight the widespread influence and reach of HeLa cells.
- Scientists had to reassess their research methods due to the pervasive presence of HeLa.
Prologue
- Skloot’s journey to understand Henrietta Lacks sparks a decade-long research endeavor.
- Curiosity about biology and its ethics motivates her investigation into immortal cells.
- Skloot forges a deep connection with Deborah Lacks, bridging past and present narratives.
Deborah's Voice
- Deborah expresses her frustrations about lack of acknowledgment of her family's history.
- She feels anger over the commercialization of HeLa cells, contrasting with her family's struggles.
- Ensures Henrietta’s story remains alive, highlighting the intersection of race, ethics, and medicine.
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Description
This quiz focuses on Chapter 1 of the story of Henrietta Lacks, where she seeks medical help at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It highlights the critical moments of her initial examination and the historical context of the era. Test your understanding of the key events and themes in this chapter.
