Rebecca Skloot
Rebecca Skloot is an award-winning science journalist and bestselling author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Skloot’s work combines her interests in science, medicine and ethics, giving readers an engaging and comprehensive overview of complex subjects. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, as well as other magazines, newspapers and journals.
Skloot’s work is characterized by her deep commitment to social justice and her thoughtful approach to difficult but important subjects. She is especially known for her insightful writing about the intersection of science, race, and history. Skloot has been recognized for her contributions to journalism and literature, with numerous awards and fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and other organizations.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of an African-American woman who became the unwitting subject of a landmark medical research experiment in the 1950s. Henrietta Lacks was never aware that her cells, which she donated to a hospital in Baltimore, were used in experiments that led to the discovery of the polio vaccine, in vitro fertilization and other groundbreaking medical advancements. As the cells reproduced in laboratories around the world, they enabled great medical and scientific advances, while Henrietta's family, who had not given their permission, remained largely in the dark about the use of her cells.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a powerful and illuminating account of the ethical dilemmas underlying the use of human tissue samples for medical and scientific research. Skloot’s meticulously researched account of the history of medical research and the Lacks family's experience helps to illuminate the tensions between the needs of science, medicine, and ethical considerations. Throughout the book, Skloot gives a compassionate and moving portrayal of a family wrongly denied the rights and understanding their mother, who had become a scientific legend.
Skloot has continued to probe the ethical implications of using human biologics with her subsequent books, namely The Decoder and The Naturals. The Decoder explores the ethical implications of a fictional genetic-testing technology and how it could lead to the criminalization of entire populations. The Naturals examines the role of synthetic biology and the ethical boundaries of genetic engineering. Her latest novel, The Inevitable, explores the effects of technological change on humanity in the 21st century, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence.
Rebecca Skloot is an insightful voice in science journalism and literature. Her commitment to exploring the complexities at the intersection of science, race, and history provides readers with engaging and thoughtful works.
