Throughout the year I have realized many things, one being that I am an adult, and momma can not hold my hand anymore. Recently, I had a dentist appointment to take out my wisdom tooth. Before the actual procedure, I had to sign lots of papers. In wanting to get the surgery done with, I quickly signed them and sat in the chair. I have not thought about it after I read Henrietta’s book. In the book it talked about how Henrietta Lacks was taken advantage of. With lacks, her cells were spread across different labs and hospitals, conjuring medical discoveries and insight of the the human body. Her doctors, who were initially set to diagnose her, instead they took her cells in secret without consent from her or her family. No one knew who she was.
However, her immortal cells have greatly impacted the way medicine is used today. Looking back, I realized how not only medicine has changed but also patient rights. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, patients such as Henrietta Lacks did not have to give their physician consent to harvest their cells in 1951. During this time, it was assumed that doctors knew best, and African-American patients in particular had little power to question their doctors. Skloot informs the reader the first person to stake claim of his tissues was Moore. Moore was being treated for a form of leukemia. Moore had given his consent, he did not know that the doctor had been selling his cell line. When Moore started his lawsuit in 1984, he was, as Skloot writes, ‘the first person to legally stake a claim to his own tissue and sue for profits and damages’ (page 203).
When I signed the consent forms, I never thought much of it. I just thought I signed the papers saying that I give my Doctor the right to take my tooth out. Little did I know that I could have signed a form that said I give consent to have my tooth as a necklace. As someone going to the medical field, I as a doctor or nurse, whatever I decide to be. I will make sure that all of my patients are well informed and understand their treatment or procedure that I will plan on doing. After researching and reading the book, I realized how important informed consent it. I encourage all of those who are old enough to sign their own papers without a parent signature, to read what you are signing. One of Henrietta Lacks’ greatest legacies was not only her immortal cells but also bringing awareness to patient rights.
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