What are three-parent babies, is the IVF treatment available on the NHS and why is it controversial?
Mitochondrial replacement therapy is approved in the UK, and allows women with genetic conditions to safely have a baby
DOCTORS are able to use "three-parent baby" fertility treatments in the UK, for when women with genetic diseases wish to have a child without the risk of passing on their condition.
Here's everything you need to know about the controversial treatment...
What are three-parent babies?
Mitochondrial replacement therapy, which creates "three-parent babies", involves a portion of the child's DNA coming from their mother, father and a third person – an egg donor.
The technique lets women with genetic diseases to give birth to genetically-related children, without needing to worry about the disease.
During treatment, the embryo receives the usual DNA from the mother and father, as well as a small amount of healthy DNA from a female donor.
Parts of the cell called mitochondria only hold around 0.1 per cent of a person’s DNA, with no influence over individual characteristics such as appearance and personality.
The mitochondria are separate from the DNA in the cell nucleus, where the vast majority of an individual’s genes are housed.
But women with mitochondrial disease risk passing serious conditions on to their children in spite of this.
Mitochondrial replacement involves removing these diseased mitochondria from the mother and substituting healthy versions from a donor.
The treatment can prevent babies from developing problems with with muscle coordination, as well as autism, heart disease, diabetes, and other genetic issues.
Are there any three-parent babies in the UK?
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted scientists at the University of Newcastle a licence to carry out the treatment in 2017.
In February 2018, the first two women were given approval to have a baby using the method.
The pair have a mutation that leads to myoclonic epilepsy, which affects one in every 100,000 people.
Is the three-parent baby procedure available on the NHS?
Scientists at the University of Newcastle, where the therapy was pioneered, submitted an application to the UK's fertility regulator in 2016.
It was quickly approved by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Doctors in Newcastle - who developed the advanced form of IVF - were the first to offer the procedure, and appealed for donor eggs.
Sally Cheshire, HFEA chairperson, said of the licence being granted: “Today’s historic decision means that parents at very high risk of having a child with life-threatening mitochondrial disease may soon have the chance of a healthy, genetically related child.
“This is life-changing for those families.”
Why is mitochondrial replacement therapy so controversial?
Opponents have questioned its ethics and say it paves the way to creating "designer babies".
David Clancy, from the faculty of health and medicine at the University of Lancaster, said the technique was "currently imperfect".
As many as one in 30 women who receive the treatment could still give birth to a child with an inherited disease, he predicts.
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The Roman Catholic Church also opposes the move, pointing out that it would involve the destruction of human embryos as part of the process, while the Church of England has said ethical concerns "have not been sufficiently explored".
However, Robert Meadowcroft, head of Muscular Dystrophy UK, described it as "a major step" towards effective treatment for the 2,500 women in Britain affected.
He said: "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 babies born with this condition having multiple disabilities and indeed life-limiting impairments."