London - Scientists have for the first time transferred genes between unfertilised human eggs to produce embryos in an attempt to prove the safety of pursuing a radical new technique to rid families of certain inherited diseases.
The technique is controversial because it would result in children who technically have three genetic parents, a father and two mothers - though scientists have criticised this notion of the “three parent child” as the genetic contribution of the second “mother” would be minimal.
The researchers transferred the nucleus of an unfertilised egg cell into a human donor egg (which would be then fertilised by the intended father's sperm) to show that it is possible to use this approach for eliminating mitochondrial diseases in all subsequent generations of an affected family.
The technique would also result in “germline” gene therapy, where the genetic material of subsequent generations is deliberately altered. The US study was published in the journal Nature.
Mitochondrial diseases are inherited solely through the mother and can cause metabolic problems such as muscular weakness, blindness, heart or liver failure and diabetes.
Embryos resulting from the process should carry only the healthy mitochondria of the donor's egg. - The Independent