Britain’s first three-parent baby has been born using a groundbreaking IVF procedure.
In the biggest leap since IVF itself, the technique, called mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), protects children against a group of mitochondrial disorders, including muscular dystrophy, which can cause poor growth, muscle weakness, learning disabilities and early death.
These diseases are inherited through defects in the mother’s mitochondria – the little “engine rooms” that power the cells.
The MDT procedure allows women to exchange their diseased mitochondria for the healthy mitochondria from a second woman’s egg.
The first ‘three-parent babies’ have been born using the technique, it was revealed in a Freedom of Information response to the Guardian by Britain’s fertility regulator, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Britain’s first three-parent baby has been born using a groundbreaking IVF procedure
The babies will technically have two mothers, but the second ‘mother’ will have no real genetic connection to the child in either case. Pictured: File image of man and woman holding a newborn baby
While the babies will technically have two mothers, the second “mother” in any case will have no real genetic link to the child and will contribute only 0.1 percent of her DNA (SUBS – keep it high).
Critics have previously expressed fears that the successful use of the technique could pave the way for “designer” babies.
But supporters say mitochondrial donation is a lifeline for up to 3,000 women at risk of passing on potentially deadly diseases.
The HFEA confirmed that a small number of babies in the UK have now been born after MDT.
It did not give an exact number, but said the number was “less than five” as of April.
The families involved have not been identified, but the first three-parent babies could have been born to two mothers who knew each other, and eligible women would have asked friends to be egg donors.
Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET), a charity campaigning to help people affected by genetic disorders and infertility, said: ‘The first baby born using a new technique is always big news, but a cautious response is especially appropriate in this case.
‘For the time being, the HFEA only gives permission for mitochondrial donation on a case-by-case basis.
Critics have previously raised fears that the successful use of the technique could pave the way for ‘designer’ babies
“That’s sensible, because this technology is still in its infancy and needs to be closely monitored.”
Britain became the first country in the world to legalize three-parent babies under license in 2015.
The Newcastle Fertility Center at Life clinic was subsequently given the green light to carry out the procedure by the HFEA in 2017, in what was hailed as a ‘memorable day’.
Three-parent babies have already been born in countries such as Mexico and Ukraine, using slightly different methods.
Controversially, it is used abroad not only to prevent transmission of mitochondrial diseases, but also as a method alleged to help an infertile woman conceive by using the DNA of a second woman.
British experts have said there is no evidence that mitochondrial donation could work for this purpose.
The technique, used only in this country to prevent mitochondrial disease, removes the nucleus from the mother’s egg and inserts it into an empty egg donated by another woman.
But it’s not without risk, and some experts are concerned that moving the genetic material from one egg to another could affect how the genes are expressed.
There are some concerns that the new technique could disrupt gene sequences, leading to later health problems such as cancer or diabetes
Disrupting the activity of genes can result in a child with an increased risk of later health problems, such as cancer or diabetes.’
Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA, said: ‘Mitochondrial donation treatment offers families with severe hereditary mitochondrial disease the opportunity to have a healthy child.
“The UK was the first country in the world to allow mitochondrial donation treatment within a regulatory environment.
“The HFEA oversees a robust framework that ensures mitochondrial donation is provided in a safe and ethical manner.
‘All applications for treatment are tested on an individual basis against the tests set by law and only after independent advice from experts.
“These are still early days for mitochondrial donation treatment and the HFEA continues to review clinical and scientific developments.”