3 Parent Babies: What’s all the Fuss About?

Whilst the title ‘3 parent babies’ might scream controversy, the truth is a little different. However, in order to explain the fuss behind the title, it’s necessary to understand what exactly is meant by the term. A 3 parent baby refers to a process by which a baby is created using DNA from three people, specifically the mother, father and a third person.

The reason for the proposed procedure is to eliminate Mitochondrial Diseases and, in the most basic of terms, the procedure works by taking DNA from the mother, father and then a healthy nucleus (i.e. one which is not carrying DNA for Mitochondrial Disease) from a donor female. Were the process successful, the resulting child would have approximately 0.1% of their parentage supplied by the donor. 

The procedure is one which is causing extreme controversy as MP’s vote on whether to allow the United Kingdom to be the first country in the world to legalise it. Before discussing the various arguments on both sides of the debate, it is necessary to examine what the procedure could achieve.

What are Mitochondrial Diseases?

The Mitochondria is present in every single one of the bodies’ cells. It is in essence a battery for the cell and when this battery fails to fire in the right way, the cell in question fails to work properly. The resulting disorder is known as Mitochondrial Disease.

Although it is a rare disorder (affecting approximately 1 in 5,000), it is a devastating condition which can manifest in a huge number of ways, including (but not limited to) blindness, deafness, autism, learning difficulties, diabetes and intestinal problems. The disease is chronic and there is no cure.

For more information on this topics, read: Understanding the Difference between Nucleus and Mitochondrial DNA.

The Benefits of 3 Parent Babies

Many of the arguments for the procedure relate to the elimination of the rare but devastating disease. Lord Winston, who pioneered IVF rationalised that to not take advantage of a technique which could eradicate the disease would be “immoral.”

Doctors who have spent their careers treating those with Mitochondrial Diseases have written committed and impassioned pieces explaining their experiences whilst the (limited) clinical trials so far have deemed the practice “not unsafe”.  Each case would still be heard on its’ own merits by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority prior to approval for treatment.

The Case Against

Many of the oppositions for the proposals come from those affiliated with religion or pro-life campaigns. They suggest that not only are the proposals moving too quickly but that enabling this procedure could be the first step on a “slippery slope” to designer babies.

Speaking against the procedures, Roman Catholic Bishop John Sherrington said “Many people are rightly concerned about the profound implications of Parliament passing regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to licence the creation of human embryos using the DNA of three people.”

A further argument which has been raised is the lack of actual clinical trials and success. So far, the procedures have only taken place on animals and in laboratory conditions. There is no current evidence to suggest that the procedures are safe for humans or that the treatment would work. In effect, say many of the protestors, the first women to have the procedures would be the guinea pigs.

What do you think about 3 parent babies? Let us know if the comments section.