A groundbreaking IVF technique involving DNA from three people has successfully resulted in the birth of eight healthy babies in the UK, offering hope to families affected by mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial diseases, which affect one in 5,000 births, can cause severe symptoms such as vision loss, muscle wasting, and organ failure. These diseases are inherited solely from the mother and can have a devastating impact on families.
The innovative procedure, known as mitochondrial donation treatment, uses DNA from the mother’s egg, the father’s sperm, and a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor’s egg. This technique has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of passing on mitochondrial diseases to future generations. Out of 22 women who underwent the treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre in northeast England, eight babies were born, including four boys and four girls, ranging in age from less than six months to over two years old.
According to the research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the amount of mutated mitochondrial DNA was reduced by 95-100% in six of the babies and by 77-88% in the other two, which is below the disease-causing threshold. Professor Doug Turnbull, part of the research team, expressed relief for the families involved, stating that this breakthrough offers fresh hope to many more women at risk of passing on this condition.
The children are currently healthy, although their long-term health will continue to be monitored. Professor Bobby McFarland, director of the NHS service for mitochondrial disorders, reported that all children are meeting their developmental milestones, which is a promising sign. One mother involved in the trial expressed immense gratitude, noting how this treatment turned their hopes into reality after years of uncertainty.
Despite this success, the procedure remains controversial and is not approved in many countries, including the United States and France. Opponents cite ethical concerns, including the destruction of human embryos and fears of creating “designer babies”. However, experts argue that for families facing devastating mitochondrial diseases, the benefits of this procedure are clear and life-changing.
Peter Thompson, chief executive of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, welcomed the news, stating that this breakthrough offers families with severe inherited mitochondrial illness the possibility of a healthy child. The scientific method, known as mitochondrial donation treatment, is designed to prevent children from being born with devastating mitochondrial diseases that are passed down from their mothers.
This pioneering technique has the potential to change the lives of many families affected by mitochondrial diseases. As research continues to advance, it is likely that this procedure will become an increasingly important reproductive option for those at risk of passing on these devastating genetic conditions.