Question 5

The book examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research.

The main idea of the passage is best captured by the statement that the book examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research, highlighting Henrietta Lacks's significant yet unintended contribution to medical advancements.

A) The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.

This sentence encapsulates the central theme of the passage by outlining the book's focus on various social factors and the ethical implications of using Henrietta Lacks's cells in medical research. It effectively conveys the significance of her story in the context of broader societal issues.

B) Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children.

While this sentence provides important background information about Henrietta Lacks's illness and her tragic death, it does not encompass the main idea of the passage. It focuses more on her personal suffering rather than the broader implications of her story in medical research.

C) The production and sale of HeLa cells became a multi-million-dollar industry.

This statement highlights a specific outcome related to HeLa cells but does not convey the main idea of the passage. It lacks the essential focus on the social and ethical themes that the book explores regarding race, class, and gender in medical research.

D) While there is no doubt that the Lacks family was first dismissed and later exploited, this bioethical debate is far from settled.

This option touches on the ethical concerns surrounding the Lacks family's treatment but does not express the main idea of the passage. It is more focused on the ethical controversies rather than the comprehensive examination of race, class, gender, and medical research as outlined in the correct answer.

Conclusion

The correct answer, option A, directly addresses the main idea of the passage by summarizing the book's exploration of critical social themes and ethical considerations in medical research surrounding Henrietta Lacks's contributions. All other options fail to capture the essence of the passage, either by focusing on personal aspects or specific outcomes that do not reflect the broader implications highlighted in the text.