BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Michigan Humanists - ECPv6.3.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Michigan Humanists
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Michigan Humanists
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Detroit
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T123000
DTSTAMP:20260526T084837
CREATED:20260401T184316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T133203Z
UID:146751-1778410800-1778416200@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) - Gene Editing in Humans
DESCRIPTION:Since the development of CRISPR technology\, gene editing has become widely used in agriculture\, biomedical research\, and biotechnology. Several gene editing-based treatments for human diseases have been developed in recent years. These treatments are currently done only on somatic cells (cells not involved in human reproduction)\, and the changes only affect the person who is treated. But in plants and non-human animals\, gene editing has been done on germ cells (involved in reproduction)\, leading to modifications that are passed on to future generations. Following on these successes\, people are starting to explore the possibilities of gene editing human germ cells. But there are concerns about possible pitfalls. Join us at the next Café Inquiry as we discuss the potential uses of germ cell gene editing in humans and the ethical considerations and wider implications of this type of procedure. This article has a short description of CRISPR Cas 9 and how it’s used to edit genes. This short video and this one provide an introduction to CRISPR and gene editing\, ways the technique can be used\, and some ethical considerations. Finally\, Steven Novella discusses genetic engineering in humans in this blog post from Neurologica. See you there! \nCafé Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic\, followed by casual discussion. \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nAttendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism\, agnosticism\, humanism\, secularism\, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities\, such as religion\, philosophy\, social issues\, politics\, evolution\, morality\, ethics\, and psychology. \nTo access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor\, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of the west hallway. \nParking information – Street parking\, if you can find it\, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday\, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you\, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged. \nCafé Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/cafe-inquiry-grand-rapids-12/
LOCATION:Fountain Street Church\, 24 Fountain NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Frank Crownover and Jessica Wolin":MAILTO:cafeinquiry-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260510T150000
DTSTAMP:20260526T084837
CREATED:20260401T185225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T185501Z
UID:146759-1778418000-1778425200@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Living Without Religion Support Group (Grand Rapids)
DESCRIPTION:Living Without Religion is a support group for those who are recovering or have recovered from religion. These people know your struggles\, and can offer support. We will share experiences\, resources\, and solidarity to help deal with all the problems related to leaving religion and moving onward in your life. \nIf you have left your religion\, are thinking of leaving\, or would like to support others in similar situations — this is the space for you. You are not alone in your search for a secular lifestyle. Questions and stories will be shared\, friends will be made\, and discussions will be had. \nLiving Without Religion is always free and open to anyone who meets the above criteria. \nTo access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. (There may be scaffolding in place due to construction\, but you can walk under it). Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor\, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of a main hallway. \nParking information – Street parking\, if you can find it\, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday\, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you\, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged. \nLiving Without Religion (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the second Sunday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/ \nContact: Randy Kuipers\, livingwithoutreligion-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/living-without-religion-support-group-grand-rapids-21/
LOCATION:Fountain Street Church\, 24 Fountain NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Randy Kuipers":MAILTO:livingwithoutreligion-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR