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- Scientists at Newcastle University used a new IVF technique that combines a mother’s egg and father’s sperm with a second egg from a donor woman
- This prevents a child from inheriting mitochondrial DNA disease from their mother
- Researchers say eight healthy babies have since been born using the new method
Eight healthy babies were born with the help of a pioneering technique that uses DNA from three people in order to prevent a child from inheriting rare diseases from their mother.
Every year, about 1 in 5,000 babies are born with mitochondrial DNA mutations that can cause disease. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA can affect tissues that have high energy demand, like the heart, muscle and brain. It’s inherited from the mother and there is currently no cure for mitochondrial DNA disease.
Scientists at Newcastle University in northern England have now pioneered a new IVF technique that combines a mother’s egg and father’s sperm with a second egg from a donor woman. This method, known as pronuclear transfer, is reportedly effective in reducing the risk of otherwise incurable mitochondrial DNA diseases.
On Wednesday, July 16, the Newcastle team announced that four boys and four girls, including a set of identical twins, were successfully born through the treatment, which was granted approval in the United Kingdom on a case-by-case basis.
Researchers reported that all eight babies were healthy at birth, meeting their developmental milestones. Additionally, the mother’s disease-causing mitochondrial DNA mutations were either undetectable or present at levels that are very unlikely to cause disease.
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“The findings give grounds for optimism,” Mary Herbert, lead author of the study, said in a statement. “However, research to better understand the limitations of mitochondrial donation technologies, will be essential to further improve treatment outcomes.”
Dr. Zev Williams, who directs the Columbia University Fertility Center and was not involved in the work, told the Associated Press that this research “marks an important milestone.”
“Expanding the range of reproductive options … will empower more couples to pursue safe and healthy pregnancies,” Williams added.
Although none of the families have gone public with their experiences due to privacy, some have shared anonymous statements with the Newcastle Fertility Centre, where they had the procedure.
“As parents, all we ever wanted was to give our child a healthy start in life,” one mother said after having a baby girl. “After years of uncertainty this treatment gave us hope — and then it gave us our baby. We look at them now, full of life and possibility, and we’re overwhelmed with gratitude. Science gave us a chance.”
“We are now proud parents to a healthy baby — a true mitochondrial replacement success. This breakthrough has lifted the heavy cloud of fear that once loomed over us,” another mother said. “Thanks to this incredible advancement and the support we received, our little family is complete. The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude.”
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