NIAGARA, Wis. — I belong to a study group with other women who enjoy learning new things. Each year we are assigned two lessons for which we are responsible to research and present to the group. This year, our theme is “Modern Medicine: Uplifting Advances in the 21st Century,” and I was assigned the topic of gene editing technology. It is a fascinating subject and holds great promise for the future, so I thought that today I would share with you what I learned.

First, I must admit that this topic was a real challenge for me because I was an English major in college and while a junior in high school, chemistry nearly did me in. I simply could not grasp it; I was just beginning to understand one chapter in our textbook as we moved onto the next. I managed a C the first semester. Second semester proved nearly impossible as I got a D, flunked the final exam and scraped by with a D- as a grade for the semester. Gene editing involves a lot of chemistry. I managed to wade through it and, after reading the information through a few times, gleaned enough to share with study group and with you today.

This topic may conjure images of Frankenstein and the science fiction movies of the past that sent us forth from theaters only to have nightmares at home. However, gene editing holds great promise for the future.

The idea of using gene editing to treat disease or alter traits dates back to at least the 1950s and the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. So, what does a double helix look like? Picture two stacks of building blocks standing side-by-side, identical in every way. Now, mentally gently twist those two stacks so that they resemble a spiral staircase. That is as close a description of “double helix” as I can muster.

In the mid-20th century era of genetic discovery, researchers realized that the sequence of bases in DNA is most often passed from parent to offspring and that small changes in this sequence could mean the difference between health and disease. This recognition led to the theory that if these disease causing “molecular mistakes” could be identified, then surely, they could be “fixed.” The possibility that man could prevent or reverse disease in this manner through gene therapy has been the ultimate goal of molecular genetics since the 1980s.

The development of gene-editing technology for gene therapy proved extremely difficult. Much early progress focused not on correcting genetic mistakes in the DNA, but rather on attempting to minimize their consequences. In order to truly correct genetic mistakes, researchers needed to be able to create a double-stranded break in DNA at precisely the desired location in the more than three billion base pairs that constitute the human genome.

Once created, the double-stranded break could be efficiently repaired by the cell by replacing the “bad” sequence with the “good” sequence. However, making the initial break at precisely the desired location, and nowhere else, within the genome was not an easy task.

Currently, research is being done to investigate the possibility of gene modification to kill diseases in pigs so they can potentially be used as a source of replacement organs for humans, to improve strands of agricultural crops and to alter mosquito populations to help interfere with the transmission of infectious diseases. Additionally, research is being done in clinics to determine if somatic cells could be edited. Somatic cells are any cells not involved in human reproduction. Consequently, gene therapy approaches are being tested to make human cells resistant to HIV-1; to correct Hunter syndrome that causes abnormalities in the skeleton, heart and respiratory system; to create “off-the-shelf” universal donor T-cells that don’t have to be developed for each individual cancer patient; and to cure sickle cell disease and HIV.

We have two female research scientists to thank for the eventual development of gene editing technology. British scientist Rosalind Franklin — who lived from 1920 to 1958 — is best known for her contributions to the discovery of DNA’s molecular structure. Her work to make clearer X-ray patterns of DNA molecules aided the discovery that its double helix structure was a spiral consisting of two DNA strands wound around each other. Jennifer Doudna is an American biochemist. Her work with Emmanuelle Charpentier at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2012 led to the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a simple gene-editing tool. Doudna received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this scientific breakthrough.

Applications of genome editing have raised scientific, safety, ethical and policy concerns. The National Institute of Health does not fund any use of genome editing in human embryos.

The Dickey-Wicker amendment prohibits the use of congressionally appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed. Additionally, serious and unquantifiable safety and ethical issues presented by altering the germ line in ways that affect the next generation without consent, and a current lack of compelling medical applications, do not justify the use of genome editing in embryos.

In 2015, a group of scientists that included Doudna advocated restraint in the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to humans — at least until safety and ethical implications of human gene editing could be adequately considered. An international report issued in 2020 concluded that the clinical use of heritable human gene editing should not be considered until it has been established that it is possible to make precise genomic changes effectively and reliably without undesired changes in human embryos. And, if permitted at all, the use of such technology should be limited to serious monogenic diseases. Continued scientific governance and oversight — including the establishment of an international scientific advisory panel — is currently being followed.

It is good that the scientific community is proceeding slowly with this technology for now. After all, “we don’t know what we don’t know,” so unintended mistakes could prove disastrous. Nonetheless, the future of gene editing holds great promise for the treatment of disease and the elimination of human suffering. But with this great promise comes great potential for its misuse.

With little effort, one can imagine a future containing people genetically modified for specific purposes, such as a superhuman fighting force to carry out wars or a super-intelligent group charged with governance over the rest of humanity. It is wise that the ethics surrounding this advancement have been, and continue to be, examined. There was a line delivered by Jeff Goldblum in one of the “Jurassic Park” movies that prophetically reminds us that, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”

Thankfully, today’s scientists are asking the right questions and proceeding cautiously down this exciting path to new discoveries that will bring a healthier future to us all.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; relax/coloring.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activity room, 11:30 a.m.; dice club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail day, 10 a.m.; Memory Cafe, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: “Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Early bird bingo, 10 a.m.; bunny visits, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; jokes and cocoa, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; book club, 10:30 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; animal kingdom, 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran, 2 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Family Dollar, 1 p.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/spelling basketball, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; root beer float party, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crafts or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; what’s the scoop, ice cream sundaes, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; tattoos and wine, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; puppy chow making, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10 a.m.; country music and boozy hot cocoa, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble match, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.; ski jump weekend, listen to the radio.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; in to eat, 11:45 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 a.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour and who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; travelogue, Dubai, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; opposite stickman, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/change one letter, 10 a.m.; Bunco, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4:15 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes and applesauce.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, breadstick.

Thursday: Super grilled cheese sandwich, vegetables, baked sweet potato fries.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, salad bar at 11:30 a.m., meal at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pasty pie, vegetable, applesauce.

Tuesday: Oven porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, vegetable, biscuit.

Wednesday: Smothered chicken and rice, California blend vegetables, dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Ham dinner, mashed sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, dinner roll, apple crisp.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Beef tips over egg noodles.

Tuesday: Taco casserole, tortilla chips.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA – independent from above menu) —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken and dumplings, vegetable, fruit.

Thursday: Cheese omelet, sausage, hashbrown potatoes, warm fruit, bread and butter.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235.

This is a Meals on Wheels program only, for home-delivered meals — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken and dumplings, vegetable, fruit.

Thursday: Cheese omelet, sausage, hashbrown potatoes, warm fruit, bread and butter.

Friday: Lasagna, vegetable, garlic bread.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards — smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese omelet, sausage, hash brown potatoes, warm fruit, toast.

Tuesday: Chicken and wild rice casserole, vegetables, croissant.

Wednesday: Evening meal — pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken and dumplings, vegetable, fruit.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: All centers closed for Presidents’ Day.

Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, sweet potato fries, macaroni and cheese, fruit.

Wednesday: Parmesan chicken breast, black beans and rice, carrots, fruit, cookies.

Thursday: Beef noodle casserole, vegetable medley, fruit.

Friday: Chicken pot pie, spinach salad, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Home-delivered meals will be served Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. No meals will be delivered on Monday or Wednesday. The dining center is only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Space is limited — call the day before to make a reservation at 715-589-4491.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

This site is closed until further notice.

Meals will be home delivered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. No Wednesday meal is available.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals On Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Cheese-stuffed shells with marinara and parmesan, Italian blend vegetables, Brussel sprouts, tropical fruit, whole wheat breadstick.

Tuesday: Swiss chicken, brown rice, vegetable blend, corn, diced pears.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, green beans, whole wheat bread, fruit cocktail.

Thursday: Battered pollack fish filet, potato wedges, Prince William vegetables, whole wheat bread, mixed fruit cup.

Friday: Hearty beef chili, baked potato, cornbread, warm cinnamon apples

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m., with meal at 11:30 a.m. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Pasty pie, vegetable, applesauce.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, breadstick.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuit, vegetable.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Chicken with gravy, biscuit, mashed potatoes, carrots, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Meat loaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, wheat dinner roll, and peaches.

Thursday: Cheesy potato soup, chicken salad croissant with lettuce and tomato, and fruit juice.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, cookie.

Tuesday: Chicken patty on a bun, tater tots, mixed vegetables, pudding parfait.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, cauliflower, garlic bread.

Thursday: Lasagna, vegetables, breadstick.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday each month.

Board meeting on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served on site. Salad bar will open at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Turkey tetrazzini, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Stuffed peppers, potato, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken legs, baked beans, vegetable, dinner roll.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Tuesday: Italian cheese fish, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken and dumplings, vegetable, fruit.