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Funeral Announcement

Patricia Susan (Deery) Mullaly, 89 of West Roxbury, formally of Concord, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 15th, 2023.

Patricia was born to the late Hugh and Elizabeth Deery and raised in Jamacia Plain, MA. She attended the Blessed Sacrament School and earned a college degree from Bentley College. She had a long career in corporate account collections and most recently worked for the BASF corporation.

Beloved mother of two children: daughter Susan Mullaly (deceased); son John Mullaly and wife Beth of Cohasset. She was also the loving grandmother “Bubba” to Hannah and Jack. She was also the sister of Joseph Deery and the late Caroll Farren, John Deery, Paul Deery and Nancy Magee.

Patricia is survived by her ex-spouse Robert Mullaly of Hingham.

Patricia was a devoted friend to many and was always a source of comfort and strength. She raised her son in Concord and later moved to West Roxbury to be closer to immediate family. Patricia never stopped learning and had many interests. She enjoyed her significant rock collection, cherished time with friends and family, watching Columbo, and being with her son and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland for their care and thoughtfulness. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Medical Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in The Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre St. West Roxbury on Wednesday December 20, at 11:30 am. Visiting hours in The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery

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The Potential Benefits of Gene Editing

As technology advances, so does humanity's ability to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of human life. One such area of innovation is gene editing, a practice that allows for targeted modifications to the DNA sequence within cells.

Simply put, gene editing is a process that allows the cutting, adding, or modifying of sections of DNA sequences within cells. Different genome editing techniques, including zinc finger nuclease, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), are available. CRISPR has emerged as a game-changer in this field. CRISPR allows researchers to modify genes with previously impossible precision, paving the way for advanced treatments of genetic disorders. The technique has allowed researchers to edit the genome of cells in vitro, aiming to target and cure genetic defects that cause a range of diseases.

The benefits of gene editing are vast. Gene editing technology has the potential to prevent genetic conditions from being passed down from generation to generation, eliminating inherited disorders like hemophilia or Huntington's disease. Also, gene editing could prevent the transmission of genetic mutations, reducing the risk of illnesses predisposed to family history. This could help families avoid genetic testing, anxiety, and stress, making them less likely to inherit severe conditions.

Gene editing can help people live longer. By addressing genetic variables, scientists could prevent or minimize age-related diseases like cancer and heart disease. Gene therapy treatments could also boost the body's immune system, making it better able to fight diseases that come with aging and improving health, longevity, and quality of life.

Gene editing enables scientists to develop precision medicine tailored to an individual's genetic makeup. By modifying genes, gene therapy treatments could cure genetic diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia, to name a few. Gene editing can also help treat conditions where current treatments are suboptimal, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and HIV. Gene therapy can introduce healthy genes, or remove or repair faulty genes that cause diseases, offering hope to patients who previously had none.

It can also speed up the development and administration of therapies and help reduce their costs. It lets scientists make more accurate models of diseases in the lab. This makes screening potential drugs faster and easier. Scientists can use data to fine-tune treatments in real time instead of trying things out and seeing what works. This helps bring cutting-edge medicines to market more quickly.

Besides its usefulness in healthcare, genome editing may also find use in other fields. Gene editing can boost crop and livestock yields and reduce global famine. Producing crops that can withstand drought, for example, can also be a big step forward in agriculture.

However, with such great power comes significant responsibility. Ethical considerations surrounding gene editing are huge, requiring scrutiny and regulation. One primary concern is the potential for “designer babies,” where parents may seek to edit their offspring's DNA for non-medical purposes such as intelligence or physical traits. Another concern is the possibility of “off-target effects,” where unintended and potentially harmful effects occur due to the inaccurate targeting of DNA sequences.

Additionally, gene editing raises important moral questions related to the sanctity of life and humans’ ability to “play God.” It is vital for society to carefully consider these ethical concerns and develop appropriate regulations to govern the use of gene editing technology.

Gene editing represents a significant medical breakthrough, providing a promising avenue for developing groundbreaking treatments that can revolutionize healthcare. While the field is still relatively new, its immense potential has scientists and medical professionals excited about its possibilities. Gene editing may not be a silver bullet for all illnesses, but it is a powerful medical tool that promises to provide relief and hope for those who have previously struggled to find it.