The technique has been legal in the UK for a decade, but this new development means there’s now proof it is leading to children born free of incurable mitochondrial disease
Eight babies in the UK have been born using DNA from three people to prevent devastating and often fatal conditions, and despite many celebrating the news, some have concerns. The method, pioneered by a team based at Newcastle University, UK and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, combines the egg and sperm from a mum and dad with a second egg from a donor woman.
The technique has been legal in the UK for a decade, but this new development means there’s now proof it is leading to children born free of incurable mitochondrial disease. These conditions are usually passed from mother to child, and starve the body of energy.
This can cause severe disability for the child and some babies die within just days of being born. Parents know they are at risk if previous children, family members or the mother has been affected.
The three-person technique sees children inherit most of their DNA, their genetic blueprint, from their parents. However, they also get a tiny amount (about 0.1%) from the second woman.
None of the families involved in the process are speaking about it publicly in order to protect their privacy, but have issued anonymous statements through the Newcastle Fertility Centre where the procedures took place.
What do the parents say?
One mother of a baby girl who was overwhelmed with the healthy birth of her daughter said: “After years of uncertainty this treatment gave us hope – and then it gave us our baby.
“We look at them now, full of life and possibility, and we’re overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Meanwhile, the mother of a baby boy added: “Thanks to this incredible advancement and the support we received, our little family is complete.
“The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude.”
What is Mitochondrial DNA disease?
Around one in 5,000 children are born with mitochondrial DNA mutations every year, that can cause devastating disease, according to Newcastle University.
It states on its website: “Mitochondria produce the energy required for life and contain a small piece of DNA that only encodes some of the instructions required for energy production.
“Harmful mutations in mitochondrial DNA can result in reduced availability of energy, particularly affecting tissues that have high energy demands – for example heart, muscle and brain.
“Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited, and these diseases are therefore passed from mother to child. Although males can be affected, they do not pass on the disease. Despite years of research there is still no cure for people with mitochondrial DNA disease.”
As there is no cure for mitochondrial DNA diseases, attention has focussed on IVF-based technologies to reduce the risk of disease by trying to stop transmission of disease-causing mitochondrial DNA mutations from mother to child.
Newcastle University adds: “The new IVF-based mitochondrial donation technology, pronuclear transfer, which was legalised in the UK in 2015, is designed to reduce the risk of mitochondrial DNA disease in children born to women who carry high levels of disease-causing mitochondrial DNA mutations.
“The Newcastle team now include pronuclear transfer as part of a research study along with a range of reproductive options offered to women at risk of transmitting mitochondrial disease to their children.”
What is the public reaction to the development?
Now that the news about the babies being born using three people’s DNA has been shared on social media, people are having their say.
Many people on X have praised the scientific breakthrough, as one person exclaimed: “This is amazing working, to help humanity!”
While another added: “That’s fascinating! Science is really pushing boundaries with this new therapy.”
However, others are concerned, as one person said: “This feels so wrong,” while another asked: “What are the implications of this?”
Others have also questioned whether the process is “ethical”.
Professor Sir Doug Turnbull, part of the Newcastle team, said of the process: “Mitochondrial disease can have a devastating impact on families. Today’s news offers fresh hope to many more women at risk of passing on this condition who now have the chance to have children growing up without this terrible disease.
“Within the framework of the NHS in a well-regulated environment, we are able to offer mitochondrial donation as part of a research study to affected women in the UK.“
Newcastle University has been contacted for comment.