Rebecca Skloot Quotes

Rebecca Skloot — Writer

Rebecca L. Skloot /ˈskluːt/ (born 19 Sep 1972, Springfield, Illinois) is a freelance science writer who specializes in science and medicine. Her first book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks , was one of the best-selling new books of 2010, staying on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 2 years, eventually reaching #1 and optioned to be made into a movie by Oprah Winfrey... (wikipedia)

The sort of thinking at the time was, 'Well, we're giving you access to medical care which you wouldn't otherwise be able to get, so your payment is that we get to use you in research.'

For me, it's writing a book and telling people about this story.

I learned about HeLa cells in my first basic biology class, and I just became completely obsessed with them from that point on.

Often doctors didn't even tell you what was wrong with you. They just treated you, and sent you home.

The laws are still very unclear. Cells are still taken from people without consent - a lot of people don't realize it.