World's first three-parent baby could soon be born in UK, as Government approves treatment
The Government plans to legalise IVF treatment to prevent inherited diseases
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The world’s first baby with three genetic parents could soon be born in the UK, after the Government announced plans to legalise a controversial technique to help prevent children inheriting diseases.
In response to a consultation launched by ministers three months ago, the Department of Health has announced plans to legalise the use of IVF treatments which prevent babies from being born with diseases which affect mitochondria – the “powerhouse” of cells.
Now, Britain could become the first country in the world to allow mitochondrial replacement (MR) therapy, following Government changes to fertility rules in February.
If permitted, more than 100 “three-parent” babies could be born in the UK each year.
MR treatment works by removing the nuclear from a donor egg, and replacing it with genetic information from the mother’s egg. This egg is then fertilised by sperm, and is implanted using IVF techniques.
As the healthy mitochondrial DNA would be inherited by future generations, the treatment could potentially eradicate inherited diseases from affected families. Conditions can cause muscle wasting, heart problems, vision loss, organ failure, and epilepsy.
While critics argue that the treatment could be the first step towards “designer babies” and even eugenics, the regulations are to be drawn up over summer before they are presented to Parliament, a Department of Health spokeswoman said.
A final decision to allow patients access to the treatments will need the approval of both Houses of Parliament, but could come as early as next year.
“As the Government's latest consultation has again shown, there is broad public support for making mitochondrial replacement therapy available to patients,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the medical charity the Wellcome Trust.
“There is now no excuse for the Government not to table regulations for debate as soon as Parliament returns this autumn, so that the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) can licence clinics to treat affected families without delay once it is satisfied that any risks are acceptable," he added.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments