The U.K. could become the first country to legalize the production of a human embryo from three donors. Here, the freezing platform for an embryo, top, also known as a straw, is seen at an in vitro fertilization lab. Jim Stevens/MCT/Landov hide caption The U.K. could become the first country to legalize the production of a human embryo from three donors. Here, the freezing platform for an embryo, top, also known as a straw, is seen at an in vitro fertilization lab. Britain is on track to become the first country in the world to legalize a controversial procedure that uses DNA from three people to produce an embryo, as a way to cut out inherited DNA that can cause serious health problems in children. The House of Commons voted to approve the Human Fertilization and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 after a contentious debate in which MP Fiona Bruce called for drawing a "red line" to prevent a practice that she said has not been sufficiently tested. Other opponents said legalizing the method could lead to a new era of modifying the human germline. But backers of the measure disagreed, saying the debate was similar to one surrounding in … Continue reading →

Experts from across the world warned that Britain would be making an historic mistake by amending the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and said children born from the procedure were at risk of cancer and disability. 44 MEPs also wrote an open letter to Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, expressing concerns about the procedure, and claiming that the UK may be breaking European laws in seeking to modify the germ line. However MPS voted in favour 382 in favour to 128 against. The House of Lords will vote on the issue next month although it is unlikely to derail the amendment. Health minister Jane Ellison, said : All reasonable and rigorous steps have been followed to reach this point. This is a bold step for parliament to take but it is considered an informed step. For many families affected it is light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Around 2,500 women in Britain could benefit from the new treatment, amounting to around 125 babies born each year. But MPs and scientists had argued that the science behind the new procedure was unproven. You are not curing somebody of something you are creating someone different. People have compared … Continue reading →

MPs will today decide whether mitochondrial donation allowing IVF babies to be born with DNA from three different people should be made legal. The technique involves replacing DNA in an egg in order to prevent inherited mitochondrial diseases. But the route to todays debate has been a long-time coming. 2000: The Chief Medical Officers expert group report Stem Cell Research: Medical Progress with Responsibility recognises the future potential use of mitochondrial replacement techniques in treatment. 2005: The Science and Technology Select Committee publishes the report Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law, supporting further research in the area. 2005: The University of Newcastle obtains a licence to work with human oocytes (eggs). 2008: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act passed, updating the previous 1990 Act. It allowed researchers to investigate methods of preventing the transmission of mitochondrial diseases, but did not make such treatments lawful. See more here: How did we get to today's debate on "three-parent babies"? … Continue reading →