Guided Reading Questions Pt. 7

Chapter Twenty-Six: Breach of Privacy

1. Describe the changes that had taken place in the lives of Henrietta's children by 1980.
2. Why did Zakariyya decide to participate in research studies at Johns Hopkins? What is ironic about his participation?
3. Explain why Gold's journalism could be considered irresponsible and/or unethical.
4. What do Gold's comments about his decision to publish private information without consulting the Lacks family reveal about his attitude toward them?

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Secret to Immortality

1. Describe the contribution that HeLa has made to research on the HIV virus and the AIDS epidemic.
2. Who do you think made the more persuasive argument, Van Valen or Stevenson?
3. According to Stevenson, why did scientists develop the argument that HeLa cells are no longer human?

Chapter Twenty-Eight: After London

1. Carefully reread the speech Deborah gave at Morehouse COllege, paying particular attention to her repetition of the word "understanding." Why do you think understanding HeLa was so important to Deborah? What obstacles does she mention as impeding her understanding?
2. What was ironic about the creation of Speed and Wyche's Henrietta Lacks Foundation?
3. Analyze Johns Hopkins's official response to Wyche's leter. Do you feel that it is an appropriate response? What rhetorical strategies are used to counter Wyche's appeal?

Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Vilalge of Henriettas

1. Why do you think Deborah eventually decided to talk with Skloot?
2. Explain the significance of the gift that Skloot delivered to Deborah at their first meeting.
3. What effect did sensationalized journalism and fiction about HeLa and cell cloning have on Deborah? Do you think this was the response that the writers intended?

Chapter Thirty: Zakariyya

1. Describe your first impression of Zakariyya.
2. What does Deborah do that illustrates she has a great sense of humor?
3. When Skloot met Sonny and Lawrence, they expressed a belief that the medical advances made possible by their mother's cells are "a miracle". How do Zakariyya's beliefs differ from those of his brothers?
4. Zakaryya uses the term "disrespect" to describe Gey's treatment of Henrietta and family. Explain the specific reasons why Zakariyya feels disrespected. Do you believe Gey was disrespectful? Explain your answer.

Chapter Thirty-One: Hela, Goddess of Death

1. Contrast the experience Henrietta's great-grandchildren, Alfred and Davon, have at the Maryland Science Center with the experience Deborah, Sonny, and Lawrence had growing up.
2. Explain why it would be easy to believe that the Marvel super villain, Hela, Goddess of Death, was based on Henrietta Lacks.
3. Describe the relationship between Deborah and her grandson Davon.
4. Why did Deborah decide to go see her mother's cells? What obstacle almost kept her from doing so?