Metamorphosis and Resurrection of Henrietta Lacks

• Published in: Cultural studies, critical methodologies Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 251 - 260
• Main Author: McCullough, Dana Compton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-06-2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Biology; Death & dying; Identity; Life; Narratives; Racism; methods of inquiry; science studies; narrative; politics and culture; Henrietta Lacks; video, dance, & performance technologies; discourse
• ISSN: 1532-7086; 1552-356X
• DOI: 10.1177/1532708619880208

In this article, I explore the unique affordances of narrative and performance in creating opportunities to linger with Henrietta Lacks. I first unpack the complexity of the story, as we know it, and tease out some of the significant themes. I focus on the metamorphic nature of Henrietta’s narrative and discuss her life, death, extinction and ressurection situated in racism. Without her knowledge, Henrietta Lacks became a research subject. Scientists erased her identity, wishing to conceal their own improprieties in taking her cells without permission. Although her identity was erased, Henrietta’s cells gained immortality before her physical death, and her story is now reiterated in the work of Skloot and other literature, as though the narrative performed a kind of resurrection. I discuss how cell science thrived in part through leveraging different kinds of erasure and resurrection. Then, drawing on my experiences as an educator exploring Lack’s story with grade 9 biology students, I present a theatrical play that weaves together students’ retelling of the story. I hope this article provides opportunities to linger and contemplate the power of science and its role in metamorphic nature-cultures.