UK’s first ‘three-parent’ baby could be born next YEAR – as scientists back controversial new IVF technique
The pioneering treatment, that aims to reduce the risk of inherited diseases, involves DNA from a baby's mother, father and a third person - an egg donor
CONTROVERSIAL three-parent babies could be born in the UK as early as next year.
Scientists today recommended “cautious adoption” of a pioneering medical technique that reduces the risk of inheriting devastating diseases.
It comes after the first baby to be born using the technique was delivered in Mexico in April.
The baby boy was reportedly healthy, experts said in September.
Babies born after the treatment would effectively have three genetic parents.
A tiny proportion of their DNA would come from their mother, father and a third person – an egg donor.
The aim is to replace abnormal genes in the mitochondria, rod-like power plants in cells that generate energy.
An independent expert panel gave the procedure the green light after analysing its potential risks and benefits.
It is highly likely Britain's fertility regulator – the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority – will now give the treatment the go-ahead when they meet on December 15.
If it agrees with the scientists, the first women could have mitochondrial replacement therapy as early as March or April next year.
The trail-blazing mums undergoing the untried procedure would be acting as guinea pigs whose experiences will be written up in scientific journals.
Scientists at the University of Newcastle, which pioneered the therapy, said they are poised to submit an application to the HFEA.
We have seen a number of women with mitochondrial DNA mutations for whom the treatment would be appropriate. We’re hoping to treat up to 25 a year
Professor Mary Herbert
They hope to treat 25 women a year.
The regulator will look at applications on a patient-by-patient basis.
Mitochondria only hold around 0.1 per cent of a person's DNA, which is always inherited from the mother and has no influence over individual characteristics such as appearance and personality.
It is quite separate from the DNA in the cell nucleus, which house the vast majority of an individual’s genes.
But when mitochondrial DNA goes wrong the results can be catastrophic, leading to a wide range of potentially fatal conditions affecting vital organs, muscles, vision, growth and mental ability.
Mitochondrial replacement, conducted by fertility doctors, involves removing faulty mitochondria and substituting healthy versions from a donor.
It is carried out by transferring the genetic material that effectively encodes a baby’s identity to a donor egg whose own nuclear DNA has been removed.
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In theory, mitochondrial replacement can not only prevent a child developing inherited diseases, but also protect future generations.
Last year the UK became the first country in the world to legalise mitochondrial replacement after MPs and peers voted in favour of allowing it.
Mary Herbert, Professor of Reproductive Biology at the University of Newcastle, said her team was “ready” to submit an application once the go-ahead was given by the HFEA.
The treatments at the Newcastle Fertility Centre would mark the start of a “comprehensive” NHS-funded programme.
Prof Herbert said: “We have seen a number of women with mitochondrial DNA mutations for whom the treatment would be appropriate. We’re hoping to treat up to 25 a year.
“The start date will depend on how long it takes to process the licence applications and to finalise NHS funding.”
She added: “It is really gratifying for us to be able to extend the scope of reproductive technologies to help families affected by these dreadful diseases and it will be a great privilege to see our work over the past decade finally come to fruition.
“Our research efforts over the next five years will focus on refining the techniques to further reduce the risk of disease transmission.”
Professor Doug Turnbull, also from the University of Newcastle, said: “This is obviously great news with the report conclusions.
HOW DOES THE TECHNIQUE WORK?
Mitochondria are small structures found in our cells.
They generate energy that is used to power every part of our body.
Mitochondria have their own DNA, which only controls mitochondrial function and energy production, according to the Wellcome Trust.
This is completely separate from our nuclear DNA, which is what makes us who we are, governing our appearance and personality.
Mitochondrial disease can be fatal, affecting multiple organs.
It includes diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy and stroke-like incidents, and in serious cases death.
Mitochondrial DNA disease is passed from mother to baby.
The new mitochondrial donation technique, uses DNA from the mitochondria of a healthy donor, the nucleus of a mother's egg and a father's sperm to create an embryo.
The technique allows for those women who carry potentially fatal genetic mutations to have healthy babies.
As the nuclear DNA is not altered, mitochondrial donation will not affect a child's appearance or personality or any other features that make a person unique.
It simply allows for a child to be free of mitochondrial disease.Source: The Wellcome Trust
“This gives women who have mitochondrial DNA mutations reproductive choice and I am delighted for them.”
Dr Andrew Greenfield, who chaired the expert panel and is an HFEA board member, said: “We think that the cautious approach to the use of mitochondrial donation in treatment that we recommend strikes the right balance between offering access to this exciting new treatment to couples at real risk of having a genetically-related child with mitochondrial disease, while doing all we can to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective.”
Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, which supports families affected by mitochondrial diseases, said: “We wholeheartedly support the positive recommendations for mitochondrial donation IVF to be cautiously implemented in clinical practice, for carefully selected patients.
“This pioneering technique could give women with mitochondrial disease the chance to have a healthy child, without the fear of passing on this condition which can lead to multiple disabilities and indeed life-limiting impairments.
“We are thrilled to see how the procedure has advanced and look forward to the possibility that it may shortly be available to eligible women at specialist clinics.”
But Dr David Clancy, from the faculty of health and medicine at the University of Lancaster, said the technique was “currently imperfect”.
And he said as many as one in 30 women receiving mitochondrial replacement therapy may still give birth to a child with an inherited disease.