Genome editing, CleanUp Day ‘18 & more at Library
Bozeman Public Library offers more than just a vast selection of books, periodicals, and movies to its many pass-holders — it also hosts a number of informational and engaging events open to the public. Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
The public is invited to join MSU Wonderlust for the next Free Friday Forum, “The Social Promise & Ethical Perils of Genome Editing Technologies” with Dr. Kristen Intemann, on April 20th in the Large Community Room from noon–1:30pm.
Genome editing is acclaimed for its possible benefits to society-improving human and animal health, preventing disease, enhancing food production, and more. But this promising technology, especially when used with human subjects, raises ethical concerns.
Dr. Intemann, Associate Professor of Philosophy at MSU, will present an overview of genome editing technology – what it is and how it works – and discuss some of the potential risks and how scientists, philosophers, and others are thinking about its research and regulation.
Professor Intemann specializes in the philosophy of science and ethics at MSU. Her book, co-authored with Inmaculada de Melo-Martin, The Fight Against Doubt: How to Bridge the Gap Between Scientists and the Public (Oxford University Press), will be available this summer.
Friday Forum is a monthly speaker series sponsored by MSU Wonderlust, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Montana State University’s Extended University and hosted by the Bozeman Public Library. It is open to the public. There is no fee to attend or registration needed. Brown bag lunches are encouraged. Coffee and tea are provided. Join in! For more information, please visit http://montanawonderlust.org.
Head down to the Library for Bozeman CleanUp Day 2018 on Saturday, April 21st beginning at 8:30am. The Bozeman Beautification Advisory Board welcomes individuals and groups to spend the morning helping to cleanup Bozeman after a long winter! Breakfast and coffee will be provided (please bring your own mug). Mayor Cyndy Andrus will welcome the crowd before participants are provided gloves, vests, and bags. Be sure to come dressed for the weather! Please register in advance at www.bozeman.net/CleanUp – individuals and groups welcome. Day-of registration begins at 8am.
Also on April 21st, the Great Books & Classic Literature Discussion Group meets from 10:15am–noon in the second floor board room to share the reading experience of Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose. A wheelchair-bound retired historian embarks on a monumental quest: to come to know his long dead grandparents. This title is available to borrow and in several formats including an unabridged recording on CD, downloadable audio, and ebook.
Health forum “Acupuncture & the Opioid Crisis: An Ancient Medicine for a Modern Day Epidemic” follows Monday, April 23rd at 7pm. Join Rhianna Weaver, licensed acupuncturist, for an in depth discussion on the opioid crisis and how acupuncture can heal the body, reduce pain, and cut the need for prescription medications.
Prescription opiates result in more deaths due to overdose than heroin, and it is estimated that two million individuals in the United States are addicted to prescription opioids. Now, more than ever, we must collectively look at an ancient medicine for this modern day epidemic. This talk will discuss the opioid crisis, pain, acupuncture and how it works, as well as detailed scientific research that supports acupuncture for pain management.
The Montana Racial Equity Project will discuss Paula Giddings’ Ida: A Sword Among Lions on Tuesday, April 24th from 6:30–8pm in the second floor board room. The book’s subject, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, spent a lifetime, born into slavery, building her career as a journalist, pioneer for civil rights and suffrage, and fighting the practice of lynching.
Yoga for All abilities continues into the spring months. This weekly event is held every Tuesday at 11am and noon in the Large Community Room. The classes are taught by certified yoga instructors Karen Averitt and Jen Brick, in the morning and afternoon, respectively. The morning class tends to have more kids following Books & Babies, but all are welcome to either class. Open to all ages and abilities, instructors focus on the basics of yoga, breathing, and mind/body connections. Please bring your own mat and any props you choose to use, including blocks or straps.
The Bozeman Public Library is located at 626 E Main St. For more information about other library happenings, please visit www.bozemanlibrary.org. •
