UK becomes first country to license 3 parent babies

Published On 2016-12-16 03:57 GMT | Update On 2016-12-16 03:57 GMT

London: Britain became the first country to formally licence an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment designed to create babies from three people. UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) gave the final go-ahead for the treatment known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), which doctors say can help prevent incurable inherited diseases. The treatment is informally called "three-parent" IVF because the babies, born from genetically modified embryos, would have DNA from a mother, a father and from a female donor.

MRT is designed to prevent mitochondrial diseases from being passed on by replacing the mother's defective mitochondria with those from a healthy donor. The resulting baby would have the usual 23 pairs of chromosomes from both parents, but with mitochondria from the healthy donor. The procedure also raises ethical concerns. Because the genetic manipulation affects all of the cells in the embryo, any glitches the procedure might introduce could potentially be passed down to future generations.

The decision means the first babies created by the technique in the UK could be born as early as 2017. The government's chief scientific adviser, Mark Walport, praised the decision as a "careful and considered" assessment.

The world's first "three-parent" baby was born in September this year in Mexico. agencies

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

savita

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

UK becomes first country to license 3 parent babies

Similar News

'Indians are bad': Florida patient attacks Indian-origin nurse, breaks almost every bone on her face

Frailty tied to Adverse Events in RA Patients on Biologic and Targeted Synthetic DMARDs, finds study

High dietary acid load can potentially worsen cardiometabolic risk factors, study reveals

Diabetes stigma tied to food insecurity, disordered eating and lower psychosocial well-being in diabetes patients: Study

Physical Activity may ease symptom burden of postconcussion in children, suggests study

Strength training improves knee health, lowers risk of knee osteoarthritis: Study

Sibling death in childhood tied to increased risk of early-onset cardiovascular disease: JAMA

Bisoprolol safe and effective for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Study