The Colbert Report Season 6 Episode 38 Rebecca Skloot

The Colbert Report season 6 episode 38 features author Rebecca Skloot as the guest. Skloot has written the critically acclaimed book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which delves into the story of a woman whose cells were used in research without her consent and have since been instrumental in numerous medical advancements.

As the show begins, host Stephen Colbert introduces Skloot and her book, noting the impact it has had on the scientific community and the ethical concerns it raises. Skloot discusses her motivation for writing the book and the challenges she faced in getting it published.

Colbert and Skloot then delve into the story of Henrietta Lacks and the historical context in which her cells were taken. Skloot explains how Lacks' cells were unique in their ability to reproduce, leading to their widespread use in medical research. However, Lacks and her family were never informed about the use of her cells, leading to ethical concerns about medical consent and the commercialization of human tissue.

The conversation then turns to the broader implications of the Henrietta Lacks story, including the racial inequalities that have historically existed in medical research. Skloot notes that Lacks was a poor, African American woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge or consent, highlighting the privilege that often exists in scientific research.

Throughout the episode, Colbert and Skloot maintain a lively and engaging discussion, with Colbert often injecting humor into the conversation. Skloot provides fascinating insights into her research process and the experience of writing the book, while also shedding new light on the ethical issues at the heart of the Henrietta Lacks story.

As the episode comes to a close, Colbert thanks Skloot for appearing on the show and encourages viewers to read her book. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in medical ethics, scientific research, or the human side of scientific discovery.