Rebecca Skloot is a broadly-published science writer who has explored a wide range of topics. She is also a contributing editor at Popular Science magazine, and has worked as a correspondent for NPR's RadioLab and PBS's Nova ScienceNOW.

Skloot's best-selling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, tells the story of a poor Southern tobacco farmer, Henrietta Lacks, whom scientists know as HeLa. She worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells-taken without her knowledge-became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first "immortal" human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.

Your Feedback

Q: I would love to see a dedicated webpage for the program

A: The library does have a web page for the program, which is updated each year to reflect the new book and presentation- click for details

Q: The room was not large enough

A: The auditorium is currently the largest space available on our campus, but we will continue to find ways to facilitate larger crowds in the space that we have to work with until something more ideal becomes available.

Q: I RSVPd but I did not get the seats I wanted.

A: Our RSVP system is intended to let us know how many people plan to attend an event so that we can plan the reception and arrange for overflow space as needed. We received 644 RSVPs for this event, which would have fit comfortably in the auditorium. However, closer to 1,000 attended, which was much more than we had expected! The Center does not have the administrative staff needed to offer assigned seating at our events based on RSVPs, but we will be clearer in the future that an RSVP does not guarantee a seat. We do encourage everyone to RSVP so that we can better plan to accomodate our audience, and are greatful to be able to offer our programs to so many.

Q: Several attendees said they would like to see future topics on stem cells or stem cell research.

A: On November 15 our Conversations About Ethics series theme is stem cell research - click for details

Continuing Education Information

The Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics offers free continuing education credits in ethics and professionalism for physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains for participation in the Frank Bryant, Jr., MD, Memorial Lecture.

Content of this activity meets the criteria for many health care professionals, including but not limited to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, to submit certificates of attendance for continuing education credits.  Please check with your licensing body for more information on claiming credits for your participation in this activity.

The Frank Bryant, Jr., MD, Memorial Lecture in Medical Ethics is supported in part by The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski and the Salinger-Forland Endowment.