——_ (2 d {(? L_% April 17, 2017 AP Bio - Blue 2 Spring Break Extra Credit Assignment: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has been a principal piece of literature that has been one to expand on the value of scientific reporting and the liberty in veracity. Skloot is a freelance scientific writer who specializes in science and medicine and her novel has frequently brought up ideas challenging the scientific world. The novel focuses on uncovering the true story about Henrietta Lacks - the body to the famed Hel.a cells - her family, and bringing closure and truth to the public. HeLa cells are immortal cells that have been used in scientific research. They are the oldest and most commonly used human cell line. The cells were taken from Lacks’ cervical cancer without permission or knowledge from Lacks and her family and are still being used today. The HeLa controversy focuses on the ethical and moral reasoning behind taking and using the cells without permission or giving financial benefit to the family. Further than the direct controversy, Skloot’s book brings up new questions for the scientific world in regards to what is right. Specifically, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks alludes to the discussion of the influences that journalists writing about science have on public perception and understanding. According to the scientific method, researchers and experimenters are required to post their methods and findings so that others may repeat them. Furthermore, many scientists seek to gain public recognition of their findings through the use of media. Communication of advances or research through media is most common through accredited television stations, radios, newspapers, websites, and educational magazines. Within both media and in scientific research, profit is needed in order to continue work. In order to gain ratings or up their reviews, often times the media will exaggerate the truth in order to appeal to a wider range of audience. At the same time, scientists might adjust their reports and final findings in order to draw more attention. This is calle srstonais> Bs inp) It occurs when information presented is done so in a way that provokes public interest ‘and Excitement, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. Historically this has led to several misunderstandings or misinformation from a wide public, which has swayed public perception. ‘This was highlighted within Skloot’s novel through her explanation of George Gey’s lab and the failure to report the accuracy of where the cells came from and the ethi Often used in order to draw more'widespread attention, this sort of reporting can be detrimental and can cause the public to come to false conclusions regarding the actual science. Occurrences like this will continue to occur, but itis i to recognize the fallacies within the media and within the s oe‘Often times, reporting that is sensationalized makes scientific research and advances Core accessibléo the public in regards to vocabulary usage or media outlets, but the underlying ‘truths of some of these reports reveal the inaccuracies. The accessibility of science reports is extremely important in informing the public about changes within the world in order to have the world shift in an upwards direction. With regards to scientific reportings, ignorance is only harmful as it leaves the wider public hidden to the discoveries of the world. This is extremely apparent within Skloot’s novel as the entire Lacks family found themselves dumbfounded to the HeLa cells and the influence they have had within the world of medicine. Had they know, the Lacks family might have been able to help pursue greater research through creating genetic markers in HeLa cells that would help them definitively identify the cell so they could keep other cell lines separate. Although accessibility is extremely important, sometimes accuracy can be lost through this, and this in self can be just as adverse. In relation to science, the fear and lack of understanding by the public has greatly been influential in public policy. Firstly, change is a concept that frightens most people as it calls for a move away from everything already known. When presented with a new public policy regarding science, it is more common for it to be rejected due to the large and unknown vocabulary being used through scientific terms. The policy may seem like a large change, when in reality it is something that, if understood, would be accepted undoubtedly. This idea is strengthened when there is a sense of unknowingness regarding a topic. If one does not understand, they are more likely to pretend they know and make decisions based off others or what sounds correct instead of asking for clarification. The lack of knowledge that sits in the general public can sometimes completely distort public policy in regards to what is deemed ‘ethical’ or ‘moral’. Recognition and education need to be strengthened in order to combat these issues that will eventually help aid the advancement of our world. Overall, Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks serves as a phenomenal novel in its acknowledgment of the various moral and ethical issues within the scientific world throughout the exploration of Henrietta Lacks’ family. She offers a look into the future of ethical testing and research development by analyzing the past and current influences facing our world. Skloot is able to paint a picture of the medical and scientific communities as corrupted by racism, exploitation, and the objectification of patients and research subjects still causing harm in the world today.