IU Northwest plans discussions centered on campus read, ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’
This year’s One Book … One Campus … One Community … selection sparks discussions about bioethics; Lacks family to visit campus March 22
Friday Jan 20, 2017
Throughout the 2016-17 academic year, Indiana University Northwest and its surrounding community are exploring the themes of its chosen book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot.
Named a best book of the year by more than 60 media outlets, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” tells a “riveting story of the collision between ethics, race and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing…” according to the author’s website.
Skloot tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, better known by scientists as HeLa. Lacks’ cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and were sued to develop important advances in medicine, such as the development of the polio vaccine, closing, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and more. Even though the cells lived on and have been bought and sold by the billions, Lacks remains almost unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance.
IU Northwest invites the campus and community to attend the following events planned for the remainder of the academic year.
Upcoming Events
Friday, Feb. 105 p.m., Voting for 2017-18 book selection closes
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Screening of “Hole in the Head,”
1 p.m., Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center
Tuesday, March 7
Screening of “No Más Bebés”
1 p.m., Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center
Wednesday, March 22
Bioethical Issues: A Presentation by the Lacks Family
Savannah Center
1 p.m., Lacks family to speak
2 p.m., Winner of Student Essay Contest announced; 2017-18 reading selection announced.
2:15 p.m. Book signing and reception
Get Involved
Throughout the academic year, the book will be integrated into classroom curricula, giving IU Northwest students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to reflect on the diversity of themes. The community is also encouraged to participate also, and attend the free and public events that will be scheduled throughout the academic year.
For more information about the book and the One Book … One Campus … One Community … reading initiative, including future events and study materials, visit: iun.edu/onebook
