The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (2010)
  • 1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, published in 2010, is a groundbreaking non-fiction narrative that intertwines the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor African American woman whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951, with a broader examination of ethics in medical research, the intersection of race and science, and the lasting impact of her cells, known as HeLa cells, on science and medicine. Henrietta's cells were the first immortal human cell line, leading to countless advancements in medical research, including the development of the polio vaccine, cancer therapies, and gene mapping. The book delves into the life of Henrietta, her struggles with illness, family dynamics, and the societal implications of her unwitting contribution to science, as well as the repercussions for her family, who lived in poverty and were largely unaware of the monumental role Henrietta’s cells played in countless medical breakthroughs. Skloot’s narrative not only brings to light the scientific advancements made possible by Henrietta's cells but also provokes critical questions about consent, racism, and the exploitation of marginalized communities in the name of progress, making the book a profound and necessary exploration of human dignity and ethical responsibility in the realm of medical research.

    Who is the author of 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks'?
A) Alice Walker
B) Toni Morrison
C) Maya Angelou
D) Rebecca Skloot
  • 2. Henrietta Lacks was a patient at which hospital when her cells were harvested without her consent?
A) Johns Hopkins Hospital
B) Harvard Medical School
C) Mayo Clinic
D) Cleveland Clinic
  • 3. What was the name given to the immortal cell line derived from Henrietta Lacks' cells?
A) HeLaS
B) HeRo
C) HeLi
D) HeLa
  • 4. What type of cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge?
A) Skin cells
B) Brain cells
C) Liver cells
D) Cervical cancer cells
  • 5. What year were Henrietta Lacks' cells taken without her consent?
A) 1960
B) 1975
C) 1951
D) 1945
  • 6. What is the name of Henrietta Lacks' daughter who was instrumental in bringing her mother's story to light?
A) Sandra Lacks
B) Deborah Lacks
C) Mary Lacks
D) Patricia Lacks
  • 7. What was the cause of Henrietta Lacks' death?
A) Stroke
B) Heart attack
C) Pneumonia
D) Cervical cancer
  • 8. What major organization announced a policy to ensure informed consent for human tissue samples in response to the Henrietta Lacks case?
A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) National Institutes of Health (NIH)
D) World Health Organization (WHO)
  • 9. Which of the following best describes the ethics of taking Henrietta Lacks' cells without her consent?
A) Unethical
B) Benevolent
C) Legal
D) Moral
  • 10. What important scientific breakthrough did the HeLa cells contribute to?
A) Cure for HIV/AIDS
B) Invention of the MRI machine
C) Development of the polio vaccine
D) Discovery of the structure of DNA
  • 11. Who played the character of Deborah Lacks in the 2017 HBO film adaptation of the book?
A) Kerry Washington
B) Oprah Winfrey
C) Viola Davis
D) Taraji P. Henson
  • 12. What was the title of the scientific journal in which the discovery of HeLa cells was first published?
A) Cancer Research
B) Medical Innovations
C) Cellular Genetics
D) Biological Breakthroughs
  • 13. How many children did Henrietta Lacks have?
A) 6
B) 2
C) 4
D) 5
  • 14. Which term is used to describe cells that can divide indefinitely?
A) Transient
B) Immortal
C) Dormant
D) Mortal
  • 15. Where was Henrietta Lacks born?
A) Virginia
B) New York
C) Florida
D) California
  • 16. What was the racial background of Henrietta Lacks?
A) Hispanic
B) Caucasian
C) Asian
D) African American
  • 17. In what state did Henrietta Lacks live when her cells were taken?
A) Texas
B) Ohio
C) Maryland
D) Michigan
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