Wow ... that was an intense book. Fascinating; thought-provoking; often shocking; and very moving. It presents some very real and very heavy ethical questions, while also presenting the immediate human element often missing in more abstract ethical debates. I appreciate this book giving me the chance to learn about aspects of science and experimentation that I wouldn't normally hear about ... and even more, I'm grateful for the chance to learn about Henrietta Lacks herself, and her family. 
 My one issue with the book was the author's inclusion of herself as a character. For the most part, it worked ... her growing relationships with Henrietta's descendants were an important part of the writing. However, there were times I felt like it focused too much on her journalistic quest and not on the actual intended story. Henrietta's family had been on the receiving end of journalistic mishandling, manipulation, or indifference far too often. I understand that without the author's perseverance, this book would not have been written ... but at the same time, there were times when I found myself wondering if we were supposed to find the author's journey equally as important as Henrietta's or her family's.