The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Dominic Swain

Reviewed: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immortal-Life-Henrietta-Lacks/

On October 4^th 1951 an African American woman named Henrietta Lacks died in John Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore, finally succumbing to multiple tumours which had metastasized from her cervical cancer. Despite her death, the contribution she has made indirectly to modern science continues to this day. In February 1951, when Henrietta was first administered radium treatment for cervical cancer, a sample of cancerous cells were taken from her cervix – without her knowledge. Henrietta’s cells provided an ‘immortal’ cell line that would perpetually divide when cultured. These cells were named ‘HeLa’ using the first two letters of the forename and surname of Henrietta Lacks. The cells soon became famous worldwide but Henrietta herself remained unknown.

This intriguing story is told masterfully by Rebecca Skloot in her book ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’. It is a story about HeLa cells, but also about Henrietta Lacks and the family who survived her. Although HeLa was distributed to research laboratories all over the world, the name of the cell donor remained largely unknown, often being given incorrectly as Helen Lane or Helen Larson. Cultured cells of HeLa have been grown in bulk, sold and distributed worldwide often at a large profit, and yet the family of Henrietta Lacks were not informed about the use of Henrietta’s cells or remunerated in any way. Skloot has attempted to redress this imbalance and bring into the open the full story.

This is a book about science, but it is certainly not a book heavy in scientific details. If you are only interested in learning the technical details of how HeLa cells are used in research, or about the ways in which they are cultured and investigated, then this is probably not the book for you. However, this is a book about the impact science has on us all. This remarkable story allows Skloot to highlight the wider ethical implications for scientific research. Science touches on many, if not nearly every, aspect of modern life and the story of HeLa shows how science can have a very personal and deeply emotional impact.

Skloot had become fascinated by the story of the woman behind HeLa when in graduate school and her book reflects years of research; she was also able to contact and befriend many of Henrietta’s relatives, in particular Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. This allows the reader to really connect with the story as we learn about Henrietta’s family and how they have been affected by the worldwide fame of HeLa. I enjoyed learning the background of the HeLa cells and about some of the key scientists working on early cell culturing methods; however, it was also an enjoyable and often emotional story which encouraged me to keep on reading.

A real strength of this book lies in the wonderful fusion between a touching real-life story and an eye-opening insight into scientific ethics and science communication. This book delves interestingly into the ethical debate concerning what consent should be given when tissues or blood samples are taken. It also examines science communication and how well scientists are able to convey information to the public. Added to this, the story of Henrietta and her family is moving and sometimes saddening, but ultimately uplifting and inspiring.

One thing worth noting is that a lot of the examples given in the book come from the practice of scientists in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Science has moved on and things have changed for the better, but at times I’m not sure this came across. Also, a lot of the criticism is given with the eyes of 21^st century morality; we have to remember that the scientists who made decisions which now seem unethical did not have the luxury of hindsight that we do. I don’t wish to suggest that there are no remaining issues in science research, or ethical problems to iron out, but at times it felt that Skloot was giving a slightly biased view.

Nonetheless, any flaws that may exist did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. I have to say that I found ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ engaging, interesting and persistently thought-provoking. The story of HeLa cells is one of great importance to those working with, or studying science – but also to anyone interested in any scientific discipline. I highly recommend the book as there is much for scientists and non-scientists alike to enjoy.

Trick or Treatment?

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Robin Bisson

Reviewed: ‘Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial’ by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trick-Treatment-Alternative-Medicine-Trial/dp/0552157627/

Anyone aware of Simon Singh’s battle in the libel courts against the British Chiropractic Association will be able to make a cunning guess at what answer this book gives to the question posed in the title. What Singh and Ernst deliver is a rigorous, comprehensive and ultimately damning evaluation of all the major strands of alternative medicine, including acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic and herbal remedies, reviewing the scores of clinical trials that have sought to answer the question: are alternative therapies effective?

The resounding answer ringing from the entire book is NOOO!! (with a few little exceptions). While it may be important that such a book exists that is accessible to the average reader – indeed one of the comments on the back remarks that “physicians should recommend the book to their patients” – I cannot claim to have particularly enjoyed reading it.

The authors set off with a statement of open mindedness, making no prior assumptions before subjecting therapies to the ‘science test’. Nonetheless, it quickly becomes obvious what the conclusion is going to be, and the constant use of derogatory terms (“pure quackery” etc.) scuppers any pretence at engagement with believers in alternative medicine.

In the end, I think this is where Trick or Treatment? falls down – it convincingly argues for the absurdity and illogic of many therapies, but it is delivered in such a way that only those comfortably in the conventional-medicine-only camp, or at least very close to the fence, will be persuaded by it.

Of course, the fact that the book is unlikely to persuade ardent believers in alternative medicine does not make it a bad book. There is some fascinating stuff to keep the reader’s attention along the way. This is particularly true in Chapter 1 which gives a history of evidence based medicine – the fact that Hippocrates believed that the womb ‘wandered’ around the female body even won me a game of Trivial Pursuit! Plus, the sheer bizarrity of some of the things out there is incredible. I particularly enjoyed hearing about ‘tachyon therapy’ which uses hypothetical particles travelling faster than the speed of light to heal wounds.

Nonetheless, the overall drive of the book is negative with much repetition of how alternative therapies have been proven not to work, ultimately making for unexciting reading. None of the joy of scientific discovery and wonder at truths about the human body that science has uncovered is conveyed, which in the end would seem the best way of convincing those sceptical about the authority of science – it kinda reminded me of US foreign policy, the authors bomb the hell out of the enemy with impressive logical firepower, but “the battle for hearts and minds” is left by the wayside (I loathe that phrase by the way).

One interesting point is the mention of a libel case brought by a respected US doctor in the late 18th century against a campaigner who believed bloodletting was harmful rather than helpful for suffering patients. This resonates strongly with the libel case brought against Simon Singh by the British Chiropractic Association due to an article he wrote in the Guardian soon after Trick or Treatment? was published, reiterating many of the points about the questionable claims made by some chiropractors. Unlike the case described in the book, thankfully the BCA eventually backed down and a libel reform bill is currently making its way through parliament (though whether it goes far enough is debatable – check out www.libelreform.org and sign the petition!).

Overall, while I am completely on the authors’ side, Trick or Treatment? doesn’t pass the ‘would recommend to a friend’ test. Perhaps the subject matter is important enough to speak for itself. The global spend on alternative medicines is astounding and serious ethical issues come into play when patients are advised to give up on conventional treatments. However, if you are convinced that conventional medicine is the only wise choice then there is not much enjoyment to be gleaned other than gleeful ridicule of the wackier treatments, and if you are convinced that alternative medicine is viable then the combative style is unlikely to change your opinions, leading to the question – who is the book really written for?

Next to be reviewed:

‘The Periodic Table’ by Primo Levi

Life Ascending

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Robin Bisson

Reviewed: ‘Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution’ by Nick Lane

In October 2010, the Royal Society Prize for Science Books went to Nick Lane for his book ‘Life Ascending’, so it only seemed appropriate to give it a read and see what all the fuss was about. Thankfully it won’t be the last book prize the Royal Society will award, which looked likely to be the case until recently, since Winton Capital Management have signed a 5 year sponsorship deal giving birth to the mouthfilling Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. Excellent.

With such high acclaim I approached Life Ascending with some enthusiasm, which was rapidly deflated when I found out Nick Lane is a biochemist – a field that has never exactly grabbed my imagination. But it is testament to Lane’s skill as a writer that he managed to keep me not just engaged but enthralled while explaining some of the finer points of biomolecular processes. However the book is more than just biochemistry, it is a run-down (or rather run-up) of 10 inventions of evolution that have had the greatest impact on the world, ranging from conditions in which the first proteins and genetic molecules were formed right up to consciousness and, surprisingly, death.

Of course, such a sweeping tour of the history of life on earth covers huge swathes of scientific topics, each with their own history, points of debate and unsolved mysteries, and Lane guides the reader through with what he personally regards as the most plausible theories. In doing so, he fills you in with lots of interesting backstories, eccentric scientists and industry quips (like “the second law of Leslie Orgel: Evolution is cleverer than you are”). For fear of getting lost in the details and asides the reader is often brought back to the big questions, such as why life only arose once from the common ancestor of all living things, or the evolutionary logic behind death. I think this is the greatest strength of the book: the mixture of light asides, big questions and fascinating details all held together in a logical structure that equally entertains and informs.

Lane receives a lot of praise for the elegance of his writing, and it is certainly displayed in passages like the description of the “futuristic cityscape” of the inner workings of a cell from the point of view of a single biomolecule. It is in the more biochemical chapters that you feel Lane is at home and enjoyably in command. While the later chapters are still fascinating (I was blown away by how birds’ lungs work), they don’t quite have the sparkle or the argument of earlier chapters – consciousness in particular was more of a run-through than a narrative. Nonetheless, it is clear why Life Ascending was awarded the Royal Society prize: Nick Lane makes a fantastic tour guide through the wonders of evolution.

Next to be reviewed:

‘Trick or Treatment?’ by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst – the book that kicked off Simon Singh’s well publicized libel case. I’ll try and keep the defamation to a minimum…

Darwin’s Cathedral

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Robin Bisson

Reviewed: ‘Darwin’s Cathedral’ by Dr. David Sloan Wilson

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darwins-Cathedral-Evolution-Religion-Society/dp/0226901351/

So, when I decided that I would write a book review blog for Science Brainwaves I was a mere three pages through the introduction of ‘Darwin’s Cathedral: Evolution, Religion and the Nature of Society’. With such a grandiose title I should have been more prepared for the gruelling task I had undertaken by opening the front cover. This book is no light summer read to be enjoyed over a glass of something cold and alcoholic; it demands the attention of your finest neurons. Nonetheless, if you stick to your guns, it is more than worth the effort.

The idea Dr. David Sloan Wilson is selling to the reader is that a successful religion functions to make its followers work better as a group. In turn, this helps a religious group outcompete a non-religious group and allows the group to dominate and reproduce in just the same way as with the natural selection we know and love. But surely religions can’t ‘evolve’ like trees, or dinosaurs or humans? Well the idea is that religions culturally evolve – the beliefs and practices that constitute a religion change and grow over time. Those beliefs and practices that lead a group to be successful will naturally stick around, while those that put their group at a disadvantage will be lost to the mists of time.

This seemingly simple idea is examined from every which way, from the point of view of evolutionary biology and from the point of view of the social sciences, while a convincing array of examples are presented, from the smallest tribal faiths to the biggest religious behemoths. The length that Wilson goes to in order to defend his thesis may be enough to put off a reader with only a mild interest. However, if like me you find the phenomenon of religion fascinating, then you will find ‘Darwin’s Cathedral’ engaging and thought provoking. I found myself coming out of the book with a new found respect for the incredible complex constructs that religions are, though even more amazed by the power of evolutionary processes.

Wilson is an evolutionary biologist, and you might be forgiven for thinking his book on religion would constitute a full frontal attack of the Richard Dawkins variety. However, Wilson is quietly respectful of religious believers, and spends more time chastising militant atheists than pointing out any foibles of religious belief. This is a refreshing change from the tirades of the atheist brigade, although ultimately Wilson’s thesis is pretty damning for the truth of beliefs in gods and supernatural stuff – religious beliefs don’t need to be true in order to motivate any group-beneficial behaviours. Whether or not you think Wilson’s got it right, there’s certainly a lot here to make you think.

Wilson does warn the unwary reader that he hasn’t dumbed down. Yet despite some thorny content, his style remains very readable throughout and he resists using more technical terminology than is necessary, leaving only the concepts for you to get your mental teeth into. The result is that by the end you feel a little exhausted, and ready for a Dan Brown or two, but also satisfied that nothing was out of your league. If you have a penchant for talking about religions over a pint, and fancy a challenging new year read to forget the fact that it’s January, I would heartily recommend ‘Darwin’s Cathedral’.

Next to be reviewed: ‘Life Ascending’ by Nick Lane (much easier I’m hoping…)