World News
Baby with DNA from 3 people born in UK
A baby has been born with three people’s DNA for the first time in the United Kingdom, The Guardian reports.
Most of the child’s DNA came from the parents but about 0.1 per cent was from a third person, a woman.
Less than five babies have been born in Britain, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
The scientific technique is designed to prevent children from being born with devastating mitochondrial diseases.
Such disorders occur when mitochondria fail to carry out their function of producing energy for cells in the body.
The symptoms include poor growth, poor muscle tone, weakness, failure to thrive, spasms and slow deterioration.
The UK is the first country to allow mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) after HFEA’s approval in 2017.
The CEO, Peter Thompson said mitochondrial donation offers families with severe inherited mitochondrial illness the possibility of a healthy child.
“Applications are assessed on an individual basis against the tests set out in the law and only after independent advice from experts,” he explained