The author combines the fascinating story of her personal contacts with the Lacks family with explanations of the science of cell research in a compelling way.

The book raises issues for discussion including: the culture of poverty, inheritance rights, ownership of body parts, medical ethics, research practices and the difficulties of oversight, legal issues of property rights and ownership of research breakthroughs and more. None of these issues is easy and all are being addressed our society today often without our being aware of the implications for us.