Babies with three biological parents

Soon babies born from 2015 will have three biological parents and three different DNA. A new technique proposed by British scientist in the first controversial IVF treatment will lead to a baby with two biological mothers and biological father.

The formula is easy: 3 parents plus 1 tube= a healthy baby. Severe genetic disorder in the mitochondria A new technique could be defective DNA from the mother replaced by healthy DNA from a donor, after the egg is fertilized by a sperm and transferred into the uterus of the mother.

A genetic disorder in the mitochondria occurs in one in every 6,500 newborns. Most children have a mild form of the disease, but are five to ten babies born with severe mitochondrial disease annually. This can lead to muscular dystrophy in which muscle tissue is broken down gradually, with severe disability. "We can save five to ten babies from a terrible disease that takes the lives of some even each year. Moreover, we can give anyway ill mothers own child. It is only logical that we want to put "this step as soon as possible explains the main medical adviser to the Government, Prof. Sally Davies.

Davies expects the British Parliament as early as late this year to approve a law that makes the technology possible. In that case, the first baby with three biological parents may be born as early as 2015.

Sources: www.nieuwsblad.be