Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Eight babies born free of hereditary disease using DNA from three people.

How It Works

The technique involves combining DNA from the biological parents with healthy mitochondria from a female donor. The result: babies inherit 99.9% of their DNA from their parents, and 0.1% from the donor, effectively stopping the transmission of defective mitochondria.

Lifesaving Potential

Mitochondrial disorders affect around 1 in 5,000 births and can lead to severe disability or early death. This new method offers hope for families with a history of the disease and could help 20–30 families each year.

Ethical and Scientific First

The UK is the first country to legalise mitochondrial donation, following a 2015 parliamentary vote. Scientists say this success was only possible through collaboration between UK researchers, clinicians, lawmakers, and the NHS.

 

 

Read the full story on the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health website.

 

Similar stories

Prehistoric teeth used to create historic map of infectious diseases

A research project led jointly by researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Copenhagen and University of Cambridge shows that large-scale mapping of prehistoric teeth and bones provides new knowledge of present-day infectious diseases. This may, among other things, have an impact on the development of vaccines.