Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against mitochondrial disease, a devastating genetic disorder that can cause serious health problems. Researchers at Newcastle University and other institutions have developed a technique called “three-parent” babies, which involves removing the genes from the nucleus of an egg to help prevent these diseases.
The technique, known as “mitochondrial donation,” involves taking the healthy mitochondria from a donor woman’s egg and injecting it into a fertilized egg that has had its DNA removed except for the mitochondrial DNA. This results in a baby with the genetic material of both parents and a small amount of mitochondrial DNA from the donor.
The first babies born using this technique have shown promising results, with all eight children being healthy and meeting their developmental milestones. However, some critics have raised concerns about the potential risks and ethics of this technology.
One of the main worries is that it could lead to “designer babies,” where genetic technologies are used to manipulate genes for non-medical purposes. Others argue that the focus on preventing diseases through genetic means could lead to a slippery slope towards eugenics programs.
Despite these concerns, many experts see this as a major breakthrough in the quest to harness cutting-edge genetic technologies to enable more women to have healthy babies. The technique has been hailed as a milestone in the fight against mitochondrial disease and provides hope for families who have struggled with this devastating condition for generations.
The researchers acknowledge that the technology is still relatively new and requires further follow-up research and monitoring. However, they believe that reproductive technologies are highly regulated in many countries and that checks and balances can prevent this from becoming a slippery slope towards designer babies.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/07/16/nx-s1-5468304/mitochondria-disease-gene-donation-three-parents