In a groundbreaking development, eight babies have been born in the UK using DNA from three people to prevent serious inherited diseases. This revolutionary technique, mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), is opening new frontiers in genetic medicine and offering hope to families affected by mitochondrial diseases.
What Is the Three-Person DNA Technique?
MRT is a process where defective mitochondrial DNA from the mother is replaced with healthy DNA from a donor. This allows the child to inherit healthy mitochondria and prevents the transmission of life-threatening genetic disorders.
While the child inherits most of their DNA from their parents, about 0.1% of their DNA comes from the donor, specifically from healthy mitochondria.
How Does This Technology Work in Practice?
Mitochondria are tiny structures in our cells that produce energy for the body. Defective mitochondria can lead to conditions such as brain damage, muscle weakness, and organ failure. These diseases are usually passed down from mother to child.
With MRT, the nuclear DNA from the parents is combined with the healthy mitochondria from a donor egg. This process ensures the baby inherits only healthy mitochondria, thus preventing mitochondrial disease.
8 Babies Born with Healthy DNA
The UK has successfully used MRT to create eight babies who are free from mitochondrial diseases. These babies were born through a method that combines the genetic material from a mother, a father, and a donor. The technique has been in use for over a decade, and now, for the first time, there is proof that it results in healthy children.
All the babies have reached their developmental milestones and show no signs of mitochondrial disease.
Ethical and Scientific Considerations
While this technique offers hope for families at risk of mitochondrial diseases, it also raises ethical concerns. Some worry about the long-term effects of altering human DNA, especially since this change can be passed on to future generations.
Despite these concerns, scientists believe that this breakthrough could transform the treatment of genetic disorders, offering a future free from the suffering caused by mitochondrial diseases.