This program will include a co-facilitated group discussion of the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Registration, light refreshments, and networking will begin at 5:30 pm. Program will run from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. 

About the Book

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew. (summary from Amazon)

About the Program

Attendees shall have read the book in advance of this program. Participants will gain increased understanding of informed consent for treatment and consent for medical research and will better understand how the ethical (and Social Work) community manages dilemmas as they arise. Ethical considerations in terms of diverse and less/under privileged populations will also be reviewed.

This program is approved for 2.5 CEUs.

Cost of Attendance: $10 for NASW members / $20 for non-members.