Forbes reports that at some point between now and July, 2014, the UK parliament is likely to vote on whether a new form of in vitro fertilization (IVF)—involving DNA from three parents—becomes legally available to couples. If it passes, the law would be the first to allow pre-birth human-DNA modification, and another door to the future will open.
The procedure involves replacing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to avoid destructive cell mutations. Mitochondria are the power plants of human cells that convert energy from food into what our cells need to function, and they carry their own DNA apart from the nuclear DNA in our chromosomes where most of our genetic information is stored. Only the mother passes on mtDNA to the child, and it occasionally contains mutations that can lead to serious problems.
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In Vitro Fertilization
Oxbridge Biotech describes the details of the procedure.
Dr Mitalipov, who headed the research, explained: “Using this process, we have shown that mutated DNA from the mitochondria can be replaced with healthy copies in human cells.” Indeed, by using 106 human eggs donated by healthy volunteers, the team demonstrated that although the ST-IVF grants chances of successful in vitro fertilization lower than the standard IVF (50% versus 75%), the viable embryos undergo normal development. More importantly, the rate of success is not impaired by use of cryo-preserved human eggs, a condition that will be critical for clinical applications of ST.
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The procedure involves replacing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to avoid destructive cell mutations. Mitochondria are the power plants of human cells that convert energy from food into what our cells need to function, and they carry their own DNA apart from the nuclear DNA in our chromosomes where most of our genetic information is stored. Only the mother passes on mtDNA to the child, and it occasionally contains mutations that can lead to serious problems.
Oxbridge Biotech describes the details of the procedure.
Dr Mitalipov, who headed the research, explained: “Using this process, we have shown that mutated DNA from the mitochondria can be replaced with healthy copies in human cells.” Indeed, by using 106 human eggs donated by healthy volunteers, the team demonstrated that although the ST-IVF grants chances of successful in vitro fertilization lower than the standard IVF (50% versus 75%), the viable embryos undergo normal development. More importantly, the rate of success is not impaired by use of cryo-preserved human eggs, a condition that will be critical for clinical applications of ST.
Read more »
