Zakariyya uses the term "disrespect" to describe Gey's treatment of Henrietta and the family. Explain the specific reasons why Zakariyya feels disrespected. Do you believe Gey was disrespectful? Explain your answer.
The reason why Zakariyya feels disrespected is because Gey had lied to Henreitta’s family for twenty-five years, before informing them about Gey’s wrong doings and announcing that the HeLa cells were actually from Henrietta Lacks. And even though doctors informed Henrietta’s family about the importance of the HeLa cells, about how these cells transformed today’s scientific community, and about how they helped many people around the world, Zakariyya strongly believed that it did not help his mother, Henreitta, and the Lacks’s family the way it should have. While Gey and other scientists were making a profit off of HeLa, Zakariyya and his sister couldn’t go to the doctor, because they couldn’t afford it. Nobody from Henrietta’s family received any money from the HeLa cells. As Skloot (2010) wrote, “Zakariyya’s apartment was a small studio…No blankets, no pillows” (p. 247). Instead of giving Henrietta’s family the opportunity to live a better life, Gey and other scientists gained fame and money because of HeLa. I absolutely believe that Gey was disrespectful. Not only did he steal Henreitta’s cells, but by keeping Henrietta’s name a secret from the media, Gey didn’t allow the family to gain financial compensation from the HeLa cells. Zakariyya didn’t grow up with his mother’s guidance; therefore, he was raised as a mean child by Ethel. Gey was disrespectful in the way that he took the advantage of HeLa cells and created a worldwide profitable industry without telling Henrietta’s family about it.
Skloot, R. (2011). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks.
Not only was Zakariyya raised by that evil woman named Ethel, Zakariyya never got to meet his mother. Without his mother, he was raised a mean child that received many diplomas, but never kept a job due to his criminal record. Zakariyya believes that his mother’s cell helped other people, but “If she hadn’t been sacrificed, [Zakariyya] mighta growed up to be a lot better person” (Skloot, 2010, p. 248) than he is now. When Deborah gave Zakariyya a photo of Henrietta’s chromosomes, Zakariyya’s eyes filled with tears, a clear sign of a child missing his mother. Zakariyya only knew that his mother died fighting for her life and that doctors lied to him and his family. If Zakariyya knew earlier about his mother’s struggles and what her cells came about, Zakariyya would’ve had closure with his mother, and he would’ve seen the world differently.
The reason why Zakariyya feels disrespected is because Gey had lied to Henreitta’s family for twenty-five years, before informing them about Gey’s wrong doings and announcing that the HeLa cells were actually from Henrietta Lacks. And even though doctors informed Henrietta’s family about the importance of the HeLa cells, about how these cells transformed today’s scientific community, and about how they helped many people around the world, Zakariyya strongly believed that it did not help his mother, Henreitta, and the Lacks’s family the way it should have. While Gey and other scientists were making a profit off of HeLa, Zakariyya and his sister couldn’t go to the doctor, because they couldn’t afford it. Nobody from Henrietta’s family received any money from the HeLa cells. As Skloot (2010) wrote, “Zakariyya’s apartment was a small studio…No blankets, no pillows” (p. 247). Instead of giving Henrietta’s family the opportunity to live a better life, Gey and other scientists gained fame and money because of HeLa. I absolutely believe that Gey was disrespectful. Not only did he steal Henreitta’s cells, but by keeping Henrietta’s name a secret from the media, Gey didn’t allow the family to gain financial compensation from the HeLa cells. Zakariyya didn’t grow up with his mother’s guidance; therefore, he was raised as a mean child by Ethel. Gey was disrespectful in the way that he took the advantage of HeLa cells and created a worldwide profitable industry without telling Henrietta’s family about it.
ReplyDeleteSkloot, R. (2011). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Paperbacks.
Hi Karen, is there any event stated in the book that may have possibly resolved Zakariyya's feeling of being disrespected?
DeleteNot only was Zakariyya raised by that evil woman named Ethel, Zakariyya never got to meet his mother. Without his mother, he was raised a mean child that received many diplomas, but never kept a job due to his criminal record. Zakariyya believes that his mother’s cell helped other people, but “If she hadn’t been sacrificed, [Zakariyya] mighta growed up to be a lot better person” (Skloot, 2010, p. 248) than he is now. When Deborah gave Zakariyya a photo of Henrietta’s chromosomes, Zakariyya’s eyes filled with tears, a clear sign of a child missing his mother. Zakariyya only knew that his mother died fighting for her life and that doctors lied to him and his family. If Zakariyya knew earlier about his mother’s struggles and what her cells came about, Zakariyya would’ve had closure with his mother, and he would’ve seen the world differently.
ReplyDeleteyour still helping students 6 years later thank you.
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