Latest news with #NuffieldCouncilonBioethics
Japan Today
17-07-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
World-first IVF trial reduces risk of babies inheriting diseases
A new IVF technique using DNA from three people successfully reduced the risk that eight babies inherited genetic diseases from their mothers By Daniel Lawler and Julien Dury Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers, the results of a world-first trial said Wednesday. The findings were hailed as a breakthrough which raises hopes that women with mutations in their mitochondrial DNA could one day have children without passing debilitating or deadly diseases on to the children. One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes and muscle wasting. In 2015, Britain became the first country to approve an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique that uses a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from the egg of a donor -- along with the mother's egg and father's sperm. Some have called the result of this process "three-parent babies", though researchers have pushed back at this term because only roughly 0.1 percent of the newborn's DNA comes from the donor. The results of the much-awaited UK trial were published in several papers in the New England Journal of Medicine. Important reproductive option' Out of 22 women to undergo the treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre in northeast England, eight babies were born. The four boys and four girls now range from under six months to over two years old. The amount of mutated mitochondrial DNA -- which causes disease -- was reduced by 95-100 percent in six of the babies, according to the research. For the other two newborns, the amount fell by 77-88 percent, which is below the range that causes disease. This indicates the technique was "effective in reducing transmission" of diseases between mother and child, one of the studies said. The eight children are currently healthy, though one had a disturbance of their heart's rhythm which was successfully treated, the researchers said. Their health will be followed up over the coming years to see if problems arise. Nils-Goran Larsson, a Swedish reproductive expert not involved in the research, hailed the "breakthrough". The new technique offers a "very important reproductive option" for families affected by "devastating" mitochondrial diseases, he added. Ethical review Mitochondrial donation remains controversial and has not been approved in many countries, including the United States and France. Religious leaders have opposed the procedure because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Other opponents have expressed fears it could pave the way for genetically engineered "designer babies". An ethical review carried out by the UK's independent Nuffield Council on Bioethics was "instrumental" in conducting the new research, the council's director Danielle Hamm said Wednesday. Peter Thompson, head of the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which approved the procedure, said only people with a "very high risk" of passing on a mitochondrial disease would be eligible for the treatment. Ethical concerns have also been raised over the use of mitochondrial donation for infertility in Greece and Ukraine. French mitochondrial disease specialist Julie Stefann told AFP that "it is a question of the risk-benefit ratio: for a mitochondrial disease, the benefit is obvious". "In the context of infertility, it has not been proven," she added. Oxford University reproductive genetics expert Dagan Wells observed that "some scientists will be a little disappointed that so much time and effort has, so far, only led to the birth of eight children". Among the children being closely monitored are three that showed some signs of what is known as "reversal", which is still little understood. It is "a phenomenon where the therapy initially succeeds in producing an embryo with very few defective mitochondria, but by the time the child is born the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in its cells has significantly increased," he explained. © 2025 AFP
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-07-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
World-first IVF trial reduces risk of babies inheriting diseases - Health - Life & Style
Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers, the results of a world-first trial said Wednesday. The findings were hailed as a breakthrough which raises hopes that women with mutations in their mitochondrial DNA could one day have children without passing debilitating or deadly diseases on to the children. One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes and muscle wasting. In 2015, Britain became the first country to approve an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique that uses a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from the egg of a donor -- along with the mother's egg and father's sperm. Some have called the result of this process "three-parent babies", though researchers have pushed back at this term because only roughly 0.1 percent of the newborn's DNA comes from the donor. The results of the much-awaited UK trial were published in several papers in the New England Journal of Medicine. 'Important reproductive option' Out of 22 women to undergo the treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre in northeast England, eight babies were born. The four boys and four girls now range from under six months to over two years old. The amount of mutated mitochondrial DNA -- which causes disease -- was reduced by 95-100 percent in six of the babies, according to the research. For the other two newborns, the amount fell by 77-88 percent, which is below the range that causes disease. This indicates the technique was "effective in reducing transmission" of diseases between mother and child, one of the studies said. The eight children are currently healthy, though one had a disturbance of their heart's rhythm which was successfully treated, the researchers said. Their health will be followed up over the coming years to see if problems arise. Nils-Goran Larsson, a Swedish reproductive expert not involved in the research, hailed the "breakthrough". The new technique offers a "very important reproductive option" for families affected by "devastating" mitochondrial diseases, he added. Ethical review Mitochondrial donation remains controversial and has not been approved in many countries, including the United States and France. Religious leaders have opposed the procedure because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Other opponents have expressed fears it could pave the way for genetically engineered "designer babies". An ethical review carried out by the UK's independent Nuffield Council on Bioethics was "instrumental" in conducting the new research, the council's director Danielle Hamm said Wednesday. Peter Thompson, head of the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which approved the procedure, said only people with a "very high risk" of passing on a mitochondrial disease would be eligible for the treatment. Ethical concerns have also been raised over the use of mitochondrial donation for infertility in Greece and Ukraine. French mitochondrial disease specialist Julie Stefann told AFP that "it is a question of the risk-benefit ratio: for a mitochondrial disease, the benefit is obvious". "In the context of infertility, it has not been proven," she added. Oxford University reproductive genetics expert Dagan Wells observed that "some scientists will be a little disappointed that so much time and effort has, so far, only led to the birth of eight children". Among the children being closely monitored are three that showed some signs of what is known as "reversal", which is still little understood. It is "a phenomenon where the therapy initially succeeds in producing an embryo with very few defective mitochondria, but by the time the child is born the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in its cells has significantly increased," he explained. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Sinar Daily
17-07-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
World-first IVF trial reduces risk of babies inheriting diseases
PARIS - Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers, the results of a world-first trial said Wednesday. The findings were hailed as a breakthrough which raises hopes that women with mutations in their mitochondrial DNA could one day have children without passing debilitating or deadly diseases on to the children. One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes and muscle wasting. In 2015, Britain became the first country to approve an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique that uses a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from the egg of a donor -- along with the mother's egg and father's sperm. Some have called the result of this process "three-parent babies", though researchers have pushed back at this term because only roughly 0.1 percent of the newborn's DNA comes from the donor. The results of the much-awaited UK trial were published in several papers in the New England Journal of Medicine. - 'Important reproductive option' - Out of 22 women to undergo the treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre in northeast England, eight babies were born. The four boys and four girls now range from under six months to over two years old. The amount of mutated mitochondrial DNA -- which causes disease -- was reduced by 95-100 per cent in six of the babies, according to the research. For the other two newborns, the amount fell by 77-88 per cent, which is below the range that causes disease. This indicates the technique was "effective in reducing transmission" of diseases between mother and child, one of the studies said. The eight children are currently healthy, though one had a disturbance of their heart's rhythm which was successfully treated, the researchers said. Their health will be followed up over the coming years to see if problems arise. Nils-Goran Larsson, a Swedish reproductive expert not involved in the research, hailed the "breakthrough". The new technique offers a "very important reproductive option" for families affected by "devastating" mitochondrial diseases, he added. - Ethical review - Mitochondrial donation remains controversial and has not been approved in many countries, including the United States and France. Religious leaders have opposed the procedure because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Other opponents have expressed fears it could pave the way for genetically engineered "designer babies". An ethical review carried out by the UK's independent Nuffield Council on Bioethics was "instrumental" in conducting the new research, the council's director Danielle Hamm said Wednesday. Peter Thompson, head of the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which approved the procedure, said only people with a "very high risk" of passing on a mitochondrial disease would be eligible for the treatment. Ethical concerns have also been raised over the use of mitochondrial donation for infertility in Greece and Ukraine. French mitochondrial disease specialist Julie Stefann told AFP that "it is a question of the risk-benefit ratio: for a mitochondrial disease, the benefit is obvious". "In the context of infertility, it has not been proven," she added. Oxford University reproductive genetics expert Dagan Wells observed that "some scientists will be a little disappointed that so much time and effort has, so far, only led to the birth of eight children". Among the children being closely monitored are three that showed some signs of what is known as "reversal", which is still little understood. It is "a phenomenon where the therapy initially succeeds in producing an embryo with very few defective mitochondria, but by the time the child is born the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in its cells has significantly increased," he explained. - Daniel Lawler and Julien Dury / AFP
Int'l Business Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Int'l Business Times
World-first IVF Trial Reduces Risk Of Babies Inheriting Diseases
Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers, the results of a world-first trial said Wednesday. The findings were hailed as a breakthrough which raises hopes that women with mutations in their mitochondrial DNA could one day have children without passing debilitating or deadly diseases on to the children. One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes and muscle wasting. In 2015, Britain became the first country to approve an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique that uses a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from the egg of a donor -- along with the mother's egg and father's sperm. Some have called the result of this process "three-parent babies", though researchers have pushed back at this term because only roughly 0.1 percent of the newborn's DNA comes from the donor. The results of the much-awaited UK trial were published in several papers in the New England Journal of Medicine. Out of 22 women to undergo the treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre in northeast England, eight babies were born. The four boys and four girls now range from under six months to over two years old. The amount of mutated mitochondrial DNA -- which causes disease -- was reduced by 95-100 percent in six of the babies, according to the research. For the other two newborns, the amount fell by 77-88 percent, which is below the range that causes disease. This indicates the technique was "effective in reducing transmission" of diseases between mother and child, one of the studies said. The eight children are currently healthy, though one had a disturbance of their heart's rhythm which was successfully treated, the researchers said. Their health will be followed up over the coming years to see if problems arise. Nils-Goran Larsson, a Swedish reproductive expert not involved in the research, hailed the "breakthrough". The new technique offers a "very important reproductive option" for families affected by "devastating" mitochondrial diseases, he added. Mitochondrial donation remains controversial and has not been approved in many countries, including the United States and France. Religious leaders have opposed the procedure because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Other opponents have expressed fears it could pave the way for genetically engineered "designer babies". An ethical review carried out by the UK's independent Nuffield Council on Bioethics was "instrumental" in conducting the new research, the council's director Danielle Hamm said Wednesday. Peter Thompson, head of the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which approved the procedure, said only people with a "very high risk" of passing on a mitochondrial disease would be eligible for the treatment. Ethical concerns have also been raised over the use of mitochondrial donation for infertility in Greece and Ukraine. French mitochondrial disease specialist Julie Stefann told AFP that "it is a question of the risk-benefit ratio: for a mitochondrial disease, the benefit is obvious". "In the context of infertility, it has not been proven," she added. Oxford University reproductive genetics expert Dagan Wells observed that "some scientists will be a little disappointed that so much time and effort has, so far, only led to the birth of eight children". Among the children being closely monitored are three that showed some signs of what is known as "reversal", which is still little understood. It is "a phenomenon where the therapy initially succeeds in producing an embryo with very few defective mitochondria, but by the time the child is born the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in its cells has significantly increased," he explained.
Economic Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Economic Times
Surrogacy abroad: Legal pathways and challenges for Indian couples seeking parenthood beyond borders
Parenthood is a profoundly personal journey, shaped by hope and resilience, but also by legal and societal barriers that affect some individuals. For many Indian couples, including those living abroad, surrogacy is a vital and sometimes the only route to having a child. However, India's surrogacy laws, while aimed at preventing exploitation, remain restrictive. Indian nationals residing in India have limited options to avail of altruistic surrogacy in India, but Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are compelled to explore surrogacy options in other countries - an endeavour riddled with legal, diplomatic, and ethical complexities. Further, Indian nationals who do not qualify for surrogacy in India also choose other countries that support commercial article examines the legal complexities of surrogacy abroad, utilizing case studies and cross-border legal frameworks for context. India's legal framework: Narrow and exclusionary The legal landscape of surrogacy in India is primarily shaped by the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Key features include: Permits surrogacy only for heterosexual married couples who have been in the marriage for a minimum of five years and can provide medical evidence of infertility. Prohibits commercial surrogacy; only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, and the surrogate must be a close family member of the intending couple. Single individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, foreign nationals, NRIs, and OCIs are excluded. While well-intentioned, these laws fail to reflect the diverse realities of Indian families today. NRIs, even if they hold Indian citizenship, cannot pursue surrogacy in India, leading many to seek options abroad despite steep legal and financial challenges. Despite public and legal advocacy, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 remains unchanged. Petitions challenging its constitutionality are pending before the Supreme Court, including those filed by LGBTQ+ rights groups, single individuals, and NRI advocacy organisations seeking broader eligibility and less restrictive definitions of family. Ethical debates continue in the UK and EU. Bodies like the Nuffield Council on Bioethics have recommended legal reforms, while UK parental orders remain mandatory post-birth. Legal complexities abroad Surrogacy laws vary widely by country. Some, like Canada and the UK, permit only altruistic arrangements, while others, like certain US states, Mexico, and pre-war Ukraine, allow commercial surrogacy through enforceable contracts. Key legal hurdles include: Establishing parentage: In California, for example, court orders before birth assign parentage to intended parents. In many other countries, this is only possible after birth. In California, for example, court orders before birth assign parentage to intended parents. In many other countries, this is only possible after birth. Indian Citizenship: Under Section 4 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a child born abroad to an Indian citizen may acquire citizenship by descent, but only if Indian authorities recognize the intended parents' legal status. This recognition often hinges on surrogacy agreements, court orders, birth certificates, and DNA evidence. Challenges at Indian missions Even with complete documentation, Indian missions abroad differ drastically in their approach. While Consulates in Georgia and the U.S. tend to be pragmatic, others demand excessive paperwork or DNA proof, leading to delays or statelessness. In the absence of standardized consular procedures, families may encounter arbitrary and inconsistent demands that delay exit formalities and citizenship issuance. Some destinations that Indian families opt for 1. United States California: Highly regarded for international surrogacy, permits compensated agreements, no residency or citizenship requirement, and issues pre-birth parentage orders. Courts are experienced and supportive. Highly regarded for international surrogacy, permits compensated agreements, no residency or citizenship requirement, and issues pre-birth parentage orders. Courts are experienced and supportive. Illinois: Allows both gestational and traditional surrogacy with parent-friendly laws ensuring enforceable contracts. Allows both gestational and traditional surrogacy with parent-friendly laws ensuring enforceable contracts. Nevada: Offers inclusive surrogacy laws with efficient court orders for intended parents, including foreigners. Offers inclusive surrogacy laws with efficient court orders for intended parents, including foreigners. Connecticut: Provides pre-birth parentage orders and recognizes intended parents regardless of marital status. Provides pre-birth parentage orders and recognizes intended parents regardless of marital status. New Jersey: Allows compensated surrogacy with pre-birth parentage orders; no residency or citizenship requirement. Allows compensated surrogacy with pre-birth parentage orders; no residency or citizenship requirement. Colorado: Progressive surrogacy law that is inclusive of foreign nationals and diverse family structures. Pre-birth orders are routinely granted. Progressive surrogacy law that is inclusive of foreign nationals and diverse family structures. Pre-birth orders are routinely granted. Washington (State): Permits compensated gestational surrogacy with enforceable contracts and supportive court processes. Permits compensated gestational surrogacy with enforceable contracts and supportive court processes. Delaware & New Hampshire: Offer strong legal protections with court-backed parentage recognition; available to foreign nationals. Offer strong legal protections with court-backed parentage recognition; available to foreign nationals. Maine & Vermont: Progressive jurisdictions with reliable procedures for establishing parentage, though less commonly used by Indian families. 2. MexicoLegal nationally since 2021, including for foreigners, LGBTQ+ couples, and single parents. However, implementation varies by state and often requires navigating court petitions or regional inconsistencies. 3. Canada & UK Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. Legal parentage typically involves court processes and can be prolonged. Compensation beyond reasonable expenses is prohibited. 4. Georgia Previously, it offered affordable commercial surrogacy with transparent legal processes and cooperative Indian consular support, making citizenship and exit formalities smoother for Indian families. However, changes in the law have been passed, though they have not yet been implemented. Hence, it is unclear how the government would treat new cases. 5. Greece Permits altruistic surrogacy for heterosexual married or cohabiting couples with prior court approval. The process is judicially supervised, and intended parents are legally recognized before the birth of the child. While commercial surrogacy is not allowed, reimbursement of expenses is permitted. Indian authorities generally cooperate when documentation is complete and verified as compliant with local laws. 6. Cyprus & Albania Permit surrogacy under conditions such as a required genetic link between the child and at least one intended parent. Indian authorities may mandate DNA testing as part of the exit process. 7. Colombia Inclusive laws for LGBTQ+ and single parents. This jurisdiction is gaining popularity despite legal ambiguity. 8. Kenya Once popular for low-cost surrogacy, it is now generally discouraged due to minimal legal safeguards. Indian missions often advise against applications from children born through surrogacy in Kenya, citing concerns around trafficking and unreliable documentation. Germany and France ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult. Legal and diplomatic challenges for NRIs NRIs or Non-Resident Indians refers to Indians who reside outside India. Foreign nationals who are registered as Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are treated on par with NRIs under most Indian regulations: Exclusion from India: Excludes NRIs from accessing surrogacy services within the country. Excludes NRIs from accessing surrogacy services within the country. Inconsistencies among Indian Consular Posts: Lack of clear consular guidelines results in unequal treatment. Lack of clear consular guidelines results in unequal treatment. Conflicting laws: Some countries ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult even for families that lawfully reside in these countries. Some countries ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult even for families that lawfully reside in these countries. Financial burden: The cost of international surrogacy, legal representation, and documentation can be overwhelming. For many Indian families, surrogacy abroad is not a luxury but a necessity. Yet without consistent legal and diplomatic support, this journey remains fraught with risk, emotional distress, and financial United States continues to be one of the most reliable destinations, especially in states like California, Illinois, Nevada, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Colorado, which offer strong legal protections, enforceable contracts, pre-birth parentage orders, and cooperative consular processes. These jurisdictions provide smoother pathways for establishing legal parentage and securing Indian citizenship for the child, particularly when genetic linkage is clearly countries such as Greece, Mexico, and Georgia (prior to recent legal changes) have also been attractive options due to relatively predictable legal frameworks and, in some cases, greater affordability or consular India moves towards a more inclusive and practical framework, one that acknowledges evolving definitions of family, protects the rights of all parties involved, and guarantees every child's right to identity and belonging—Indian families will continue to look beyond borders. Parenthood is a universal aspiration, one that should be enabled, not obstructed, by laws or bureaucracy. (Co-authored by Anila K. Sabu, Immigration Executive at LawQuest) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. 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