This was in essence a book about ethics. It made me think about what I believe. At some points in this book I was offended by Skloot’s writing, seemingly trying to portray her own ethics through a sad story. As far as I am concerned, the doctors who took the cells from her did a good thing, because it was for the good of most people who were currently living and even more people who were still yet to be a part of this world. I believe that the most important ethic or rule to follow is doing the most possible good no matter what. If you try to make the world a better place, you just might. I realize that people could have a problem if Henrietta was hurt in order to help all of these people, however this is an invalid argument because in not taking her cells, the doctors would have prevented (or at least slow the pace of) many medical advancements that saved lives and helped others suffer less. In effect by not taking her cells, the doctors would have hurt many, many people. Skloot offended me with her emphasis on money for Henrietta’s family. They did nothing and deserve nothing for that. I feel sorry for the family, but only because Henrietta died, not because success came from something that she didn’t even know happened.
I kind of agree with your post. However, I feel that they should have told her family what they had done at least. I know that if they had done something like that to someone in my family, I would at least want to know about it. I think Skloot put too much emphasis on the money thing as well. That should have been the last thing on anyone's mind. However, seeing as how the family was extremely poverty stricken, I can see where she's coming from. Even though I don't agree with that aspect of it, I do agree that it is a good thing that they took the cells because they have been used to make so many advances in medicine. I also think that you are right about doing good for as many people as possible. No matter what you do, you will never be able to make EVERYONE happy. It's hard to appease the masses. All in all, I agree with your post except I feel the ethical thing would have been to tell the family what they had done.
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