Thanks all for the kind words about the story. Just for clarity, in response to a few of the comments below: Deborah gave full consent for the use of this taped material for broadcast on television and radio, and was fully aware of (and excited about) this piece and the way it was being constructed, which Jad and I began planning long before her death.

I have read the book and found it to be fascinating and sad - a true miscarriage of justice. However, I was thoroughly disappointed in this broadcast. The flippant manner in which the interviewers handled the interview of Skloot was shameful. And to compound things, their disrespect of Lacks and her family rubbed off on Skloot, who also deteriorated into a less-than-respectful attitude toward this tragic experience.

http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=677

A Dinosaur Comic concerned with HeLa cells

I, along with Henrietta and John Moore had a immortal cell line (MCF10) developed from my tissue in 1988. My cells however were normal,which made them unusual. Many of the same things happened to me that happened to Henrietta. A patent was filed on my cells. A vial of my cells are now being sold for $279 (research) and $6000 (commercial). I was assured their would be no profits.

Having read the SKloot's book and more articles about the Hela cells, one thing which I thought was missing from the Radiolab story were the racial undertones. During the 1950s at Hopkins, Hela was shunned from certain treatments because of her race. The lack of consent retrieved from her or her family is also intrinsically linked to her race, propagating a legacy of black women being exploited. Leaving this level out did a detriment to the story and our ability to learn from it.

My college students in my Women's Health Care seminar just finished reading THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, then I heard this show on my drive home. Radiolab seemed to be hyping the tumor and cells like the media always has. When Rebecca Skloot came on with excerpts from her taped interviews with Deborah Lacks, I was surprised. Yes, we can now hear what Deborah sounded like, but did Rebecca tell Deborah she would be using the interviews for more than the book, for such entertainment? I was really offended by the use of the taped interview of Deborah’s breakdown and Gary’s healing sessions with her. We discussed at length that incredible healing session when Gary is talking through The Spirit. To me the use of it on this broadcast was a huge invasion and violation of privacy and commercialization/sensationalism of a sacred experience. Rebecca Skloot seemed to have fallen to the level of all the other exploiters of the Lacks family.

I am a teacher and have my students read about Henrietta Lacks. Thanks to Skloot for sharing her story with the world. We all need to know about her, her family and her cells. And we need to make sure her family is honored, scholarships for her descendants continue, and future use of cells and other body parts is always compensated for donors.

Great show, guys. Unlike all the other posters, I love the show : ) Keep up the good work and kudos for the Arvo Pärt clip in the HeLa segment!

This was an amazing show and an especially otherworldly story. I deeply thank you for it. Where can I find the music credits? There was a beautiful piece played that I must listen to again. Thank you kindly!

I have just finished reading the book by Rebecca Skloot. I could not put the book down. Also, saw the episode on Law and Order that portrayed a fictionalized account of this event. The book and the TV program were an eye opener. Will make an incredible movie.

This is not pop science writing--this is science journalism. There was real research here.

I started to think this when you tracked down Lucy's holders and their remarkable story---radiolab is doing something NO ONE ELSE is doing. They are connecting real science to real people's lives. Unbelievably good.

Thank you for sharing this with the world. I cannot imagine the magnitude of pain that Mrs Lacks experienced before she died. Years later, her daughter Debra would carry the burden of her mother's suffering and exploitation.

Mrs Lacks' children should be compensated for their mother's unknowing contribution to science that have made some people very wealthy.

May Debra and her mother rest in peace.

Henrietta Lacks was and still is my forth cousin.I very much don't appreciate that the doctor at the time stole my aunt cell. And didn't give my family any kinda 1 billion dollar donation. To the lacks family. I will get an attorney on this matter. my phone number 1203 903 7469 and i will stay in contact

Great informative dramatization of the story and journey of Henrietta Pleasant-Lacks. Personally, I am just learning about her story, and intrigued by the possibility that she may be a distant relative. I really enjoyed your professional presentation, it was very enjoyable. Keep up the great work!

Another story on Henrietta Lacks in today's Virginian-Pilot (5/30). Buried for decades in an unmarked grave in Clover, Va., she finally has a headstone. There was a ceremony yesterday: http://tinyurl.com/25q5urp

American science has done a lot of terrible things to the African American community. The Lacks family struggled while science profited off of their DNA. Tuskeegee (referenced as the first biochem co. in the show) housed the syphilis experiment and HeLa. The Lacks family had more reason to be suspicious of scientists than was explained on the show.

For me, it's not an argument about who owns what and who should get paid for what. It's an issue of institutional injustices completely disregarding the humanity of entire communities, and many modern-day people's inability to talk about and deal with those injustices in a meaningful way.

I work in the newsroom of The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va. Staff writer Denise Watson Batts did a great story on Mrs. Lacks and her family earlier this month. Here it is: http://tinyurl.com/3453uvc

This was a magnificent podcast! Much like a beautifully choreographed ballet. And a bittersweet close...Debra's passing. Beautiful work.

Mrs. Lacks family should receive some sort of compensation. If a company made money off of my cells without my permission I would sure demand a cut in a hurry.

another mesmorizing story.

poor Deborah. that was really hard on her.

we do have a similar analogy for this- organ donation. i've had loved ones who have received and donated organs & tissue.

and, i can relate to her feelings and wonderings.

This was my first time listening to your show, and I have to tell you I was absolutely captivated. The way the broadcast flowed seamlessly between dialogue, sound effects, and stories made me feel like I had stumbled upon a window into another world. Well done!