Newborns in Britain delivered without health issues following utilization of DNA from three individuals by scientists to prevent hereditary maladies

Newborns in Britain delivered without health issues following utilization of DNA from three individuals by scientists to prevent hereditary maladies

In the United Kingdom, 35 patients have been authorised to undergo a controversial IVF technique using donated mitochondria, offering hope to families at risk of passing on hereditary mitochondrial diseases. The technique, known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), has been legally permitted in the UK for about a decade, making it the first country to approve its use [1][2][3].

Dangerous mutations in mitochondrial DNA can lead to a range of debilitating conditions in children, causing muscle weakness, seizures, developmental delays, major organ failure, and even death. Liz Curtis, a mother who lost her daughter to a mitochondrial disease, has founded the Lily Foundation to raise awareness and support research into the disease, including the latest work done at Newcastle University [1].

The process involves using the genetic material from three people: the mother's egg, the father's sperm, and a donor's mitochondria. The amount of DNA from the donor is insignificant, making up less than 1% of the resulting child. This means that any child born after this technique would have no traits from the woman who donated the healthy mitochondria [1].

Eight healthy babies were born in Britain using this experimental technique, with one woman still pregnant. One of the eight babies born had slightly higher than expected levels of abnormal mitochondria, but it is not considered high enough to cause disease [1]. The researchers performed the technique on fertilised embryos from 22 patients, resulting in these eight babies that appear to be free of mitochondrial diseases [1].

Critics have raised concerns about the impact of novel techniques like this on future generations. However, Dr. Andy Greenfield, a reproductive health expert at the University of Oxford, called the work "a triumph of scientific innovation" [1]. Dr. Zev Williams, who directs the Columbia University Fertility Center, stated that expanding the range of reproductive options will empower more couples to pursue safe and healthy pregnancies [4].

The U.S., on the other hand, currently prohibits MRT through regulatory constraints. Congress has included provisions in annual funding bills banning the Food and Drug Administration from accepting applications for clinical research involving techniques that intentionally create or modify a human embryo to include a heritable genetic modification [4]. There is ongoing debate about the ethics and future of this technology, with many scientists rejecting the term "three-parent babies" as sensationalistic [3].

However, the technique could potentially provide a promising alternative for some families in countries where it is allowed. The method requires a change in the 2016 U.K. law and is also allowed in Australia but not in many other countries, including the U.S. [3]. Dr. Zev Williams stated that whether the use of heritable genetic modifications in IVF will change in the U.S. remains uncertain and depends on evolving scientific, ethical, and policy discussions [4].

In summary, while the UK allows and oversees the use of MRT, the U.S. currently prohibits it through regulatory constraints. Other countries may permit the technique based on local laws and regulations. For families affected by mitochondrial diseases, this groundbreaking therapy offers a glimmer of hope in their struggle against these devastating conditions.

References: [1] BBC News. (2021, April 12). Mitochondrial replacement therapy: What is it and why is it controversial? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56747627 [2] Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. (2021). Mitochondrial donation. Retrieved from https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/mitochondrial-donation/ [3] The Guardian. (2019, July 24). Mitochondrial replacement: why the three-parent baby ban must be lifted. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/24/mitochondrial-replacement-three-parent-baby-ban-lifted [4] The New York Times. (2019, July 25). The Debate Over Three-Parent Babies Is Back. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/health/three-parent-babies-debate.html

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