Three-parent babies born in UK: Milestone shows success in preventing hereditary diseases

Time of India

5 days ago

A fertility technique has led to the birth of at least eight babies in the UK with DNA from three individuals, marking a major milestone in the fight against inherited genetic diseases.
Known as mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), this pioneering method was developed to prevent mothers from passing on faulty mitochondrial genes that can cause severe and often fatal conditions. The babies carry nuclear DNA from their biological mother and father, and a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor woman. Early results from clinical follow-ups show no evidence of the mitochondrial disorders the technique is meant to prevent, offering renewed hope to families with a history of these inherited illnesses.
How the three-parent baby technique works
Mitochondrial donation treatment involves replacing defective mitochondria in a woman's egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor. Mitochondria are the energy-producing components of cells, and faulty ones can lead to devastating disorders affecting the brain, muscles, heart, and other organs. In MDT, the mother's nuclear DNA, which carries the vast majority of genetic traits, is retained, while the faulty mitochondria are swapped out with healthy ones from a donor.
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This results in a child with DNA from three people: the mother, the father, and a mitochondrial donor.
Regulatory approval and ethical considerations
The UK became the first country to legalize the use of mitochondrial donation in 2015, with treatments overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The Newcastle Fertility Centre, a leader in MDT, has carried out the procedures under tightly controlled conditions. Although the DNA contribution from the donor accounts for less than 1 percent of the child's genetic makeup, the treatment has sparked ethical debates about the boundaries of genetic modification and the implications of three-parent babies.
Nonetheless, supporters argue the potential to eliminate life-threatening diseases justifies its cautious use.
Early results and family outcomes
So far, at least eight babies have been born in the UK using MDT, and early monitoring shows they are free from mitochondrial diseases. These results are considered highly promising, though long-term follow-up is still needed to confirm the stability of the treatment. Families who participated in the program have expressed relief and gratitude, with some calling the births life-saving.
Researchers note that while the technique is not a cure for existing patients, it offers a preventative path for future generations.
Global perspective and future applications
While the UK has led in regulating and applying mitochondrial donation, other countries are watching closely. The United States allows such procedures only in clinical trials, and public debate continues around the safety and ethics of germline modifications. Scientists are cautiously optimistic that success in the UK will encourage broader, carefully regulated use of the technology in high-risk cases. With further refinement, MDT could become a standard option for families with a history of mitochondrial disease, opening the door to a future where certain genetic conditions can be safely and permanently prevented.