Three Person Babies Via New IVF Technique May be Commonplace in the Near Future
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text bordered=””]The idea of ‘three parent babies’ is something that could very well be a reality after UK MPs voted in favor of the creation of babies with DNA from three people. This is the first place in the world where this procedure will be allowed after a vote that resulted in 382 MPs supporting the idea versus 128 against.
While the term ‘three parent babies’ is often thrown around, it’s actually a slight exaggeration on what will actually happen. The third parent (a woman) will in fact be donating healthy mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the ‘energy plants’ of our cells and are responsible for helping us to use glucose and to power all of our functions. Mitochondrial diseases are commonplace however and this procedure could help to save countless infants with the condition.
Ultimately, the new babies will have about 0.1% of their DNA from the second woman which would then be passed down through the generations. Despite opposition from religious groups, the procedure has been demonstrated on countless occasions to be completely safe and really would not affect the DNA of the baby in any ‘meaningful’ way other than to correct a life-ending disease. This is an amazing step forward for science and it’s crucial that it not be tarnished.
Source – BBC[/vc_column_text]
