Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Samsung
Elon Musk
Apple
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Technology News / 'Three-parent' babies approved in the UK
Technology

'Three-parent' babies approved in the UK

'Three-parent' babies approved in the UK
Written by Shiladitya Ray
Dec 16, 2016, 09:10 pm 3 min read
'Three-parent' babies approved in the UK
Credits:

In a historic move, the apex fertility regulation body in the UK, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HEFA), announced that it would start accepting applications for "three-parent" babies after it reviewed scientific evidence for the safety of the procedure. In simpler words, the procedure would allow the creation of babies from the DNA of three people thereby minimizing risk of genetic disorders.

Quote
A new hope for affected parents

"Today's historic decision means that parents at very high risk of having a child with a life-threatening mitochondrial disease may soon have the chance of a healthy, genetically-related child," said Sally Cheshire, the chair of HEFA.

Procedure
How can three people be parents?

The experimental procedure, called Mitochondria Replacement Therapy (MRT), was developed to help women with mutations in the DNA of their mitochondria. The procedure takes the mother's fertilized egg with the unhealthy mitochondria, and removes the parents' nuclear material from it. It then takes a donor's fertilized egg with healthy mitochondria, removes the donor's nuclear material, and inserts the parents' nuclear material into it.

Do you know?
What are the effects of mitochondrial disease?

A large percentage of children who are born with mitochondrial disease die young. Mitochondrial disease can affect a child in myriad ways - the mutations could cause the brain, heart, muscles and other high energy-demanding tissues to fail.

Risks
Are there any risks involved in the procedure?

While the treatment gives a glimmer of hope to affected couples, it comes with its own risks. Studies suggest that it is possible for mutated DNA to be carried over from the mother's egg into the donor's, where it can replicate and potentially jeopardize any attempts to block genetic diseases. Furthermore, any glitches caused by the procedure could be passed down to future generations.

Data
The frequency of mitochondrial disease in children

About one in every 10,000 newborns are born with mitochondrial disease. It is estimated that 125 such children are born in the UK every year. Sally Chesire added that around 3,000 families in the UK could benefit from the treatment, but "many won't come forward".

Reactions
Reactions to the experimental procedure

The procedure has received mixed reactions. While members of HEFA and other researchers and professors have hailed the decision to legalize the procedure, calling it a "new hope", they have also urged caution. However, the Roman Catholic Church opposed the move as it involves the destruction of embryos. Meanwhile the Church of England stated that ethical concerns "have not been been sufficiently explored".

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shiladitya Ray
Shiladitya Ray
Mail
Budding social scientist with a keen interest in social studies of science and the sociology of knowledge. Cinephile. Liverpudlian. Metalhead.
Latest
DNA
Roman Catholic Church
Latest
Gyanvapi row: Delhi University professor arrested over 'derogatory' Shivling post
Gyanvapi row: Delhi University professor arrested over 'derogatory' Shivling post India
Hero Splendor Plus XTEC debuts in India at Rs. 73,000
Hero Splendor Plus XTEC debuts in India at Rs. 73,000 Auto
MEA confirms 'illegal' Chinese construction of two bridges in Pangong
MEA confirms 'illegal' Chinese construction of two bridges in Pangong India
'Dhaakad' review: Kangana Ranaut is captivating in hardcore action extravaganza
'Dhaakad' review: Kangana Ranaut is captivating in hardcore action extravaganza Entertainment
International Tea Day: Exploring India's position in the global market
International Tea Day: Exploring India's position in the global market Lifestyle
DNA
World's oldest DNA sequenced from molar of million-year-old mammoth
World's oldest DNA sequenced from molar of million-year-old mammoth World
'Jurassic World: Dominion' culmination of one story, says director
'Jurassic World: Dominion' culmination of one story, says director Entertainment
Detention of 10 Chinese spies in Afghanistan leaves Beijing red-faced
Detention of 10 Chinese spies in Afghanistan leaves Beijing red-faced World
Coronavirus: Myths about the COVID-19 vaccine busted
Coronavirus: Myths about the COVID-19 vaccine busted Technology
US accuses China of 'obstructing' WHO probe, 'peddling' questionable vaccines
US accuses China of 'obstructing' WHO probe, 'peddling' questionable vaccines World
More News
Roman Catholic Church
Pope Francis rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in lift
Pope Francis rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in lift World
Church files on pedophile priests destroyed, top Catholic cardinal admits
Church files on pedophile priests destroyed, top Catholic cardinal admits World
Jharkhand baby-selling racket: Maneka Gandhi directs states to take steps
Jharkhand baby-selling racket: Maneka Gandhi directs states to take steps India
Jharkhand: Four babies sold by Missionaries of Charity shelter-home rescued
Jharkhand: Four babies sold by Missionaries of Charity shelter-home rescued India
Kerala: Nun to go-ahead with legal-action against bishop for sexual-assault
Kerala: Nun to go-ahead with legal-action against bishop for sexual-assault India
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Technology news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Science Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022