PollenTree

Three person IVF consultation

So-called "three-person IVF" replaces defective genetic material in the egg to stop genetic diseases being passed from mother to child in order to eliminate rare mitochondrial diseases.


Inherited defects
Mitochondria can be found within almost every human cell, and provide the energy they need to function, much like a battery. Like the nucleus of the cell, they contain DNA, although in very small quantities. Approximately 1 in 5,000 babies is born with inherited defects in their mitochondrial DNA, the effects of which can be very severe, or even fatal, depending on which cells are affected.

Scientists believe they have found a way to substitute the defective mitochondria and hopefully prevent the child from developing a disease.


Three person technique
They take two eggs, one from the mother and another from a donor. The nucleus of the donor egg is removed, leaving the rest of the egg contents, including the mitochondria, and is replaced with the nucleus from the mother's egg. The resulting embryo has properly functioning mitochondria from the donor, and should, in theory, be healthy. This replacement is like replacing a battery and therefore has no impact on the DNA that determines other factors, such as appearance.


Genetic manipulation
Even though the child would have a very limited genetic contribution from the third person, there is still opposition from some groups, who say such genetic manipulation carries risks.


IVF law change
A change in the law would be needed before it could be offered to patients.


Government consultation
Announcing the consultation, David Willetts, minister for universities and science, said: "Scientists have made an important and potentially life-saving discovery in the prevention of mitochondrial disease. "However, as with all developments in cutting-edge science, it is vital that we to listen to the public's views before we consider any change in the law allowing it to be used." It is hoped the consultation will be complete by the end of this year.


Wellcome Trust
Sir Mark Walport, from the Wellcome Trust, said the technique might prevent previously incurable diseases. "We welcome the opportunity to discuss with the public why we believe this technique is essential if we are to give families affected by these diseases the chance to have healthy children, something most of us take for granted."


Newcastle University
Prof Doug Turnbull, from Newcastle University, added: "Every year we see hundreds of patients whose lives are seriously affected by mitochondrial disease. "We want to make a major difference to the lives of these patients."


Genetic Alliance
Groups representing patients and their families also welcomed the announcement. Alastair Kent, from Genetic Alliance UK, said that the impact of mitochondrial disease could be "devastating". He said: "It will be quite a long time before this is available as a clinical service, and our primary concern is to make sure the technique is safe. "But it would be sensible and reasonable to offer it to prevent these conditions."

Read more at: bbc.co.uk/news