Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
In a groundbreaking advancement for genetic medicine, eight babies have been born in the UK using DNA from three individuals to prevent incurable mitochondrial diseases, according to doctors at the Newcastle Fertility Centre.
The pioneering procedure, known as mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), uses the DNA from the baby’s mother and father along with a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor woman. The goal is to eliminate inherited conditions that can cause severe disability or death in infants.
Mitochondrial diseases affect around 1 in 5,000 babies and are passed down from mothers. These conditions can starve the body’s cells of energy, leading to brain damage, muscle weakness, seizures, blindness, and even death shortly after birth.
“After years of uncertainty, this treatment gave us hope – and then it gave us our baby,” said the anonymous mother of one of the babies born via MDT.
Another parent added, “The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude.”
🧬 How the Three-Person IVF Works:
The procedure begins with eggs from both the mother and the donor being fertilised with the father’s sperm in a lab. The embryos develop until their DNA forms structures called pro-nuclei, which contain the genetic material responsible for personal traits like hair color and height.
Doctors then transfer the parents’ DNA into the donor embryo, which contains healthy mitochondria, essentially creating a child free of mitochondrial disorders while still being genetically related to their parents.
Children born this way inherit 99.9% of their DNA from their parents and 0.1% from the donor woman. This small yet powerful change is passed down through generations if a girl is born using this method.
✅ Current Outcomes:
So far, 22 families have undergone the procedure, resulting in eight live births (four boys, four girls, including twins) and one ongoing pregnancy. All babies are reportedly healthy, free from mitochondrial disease, and hitting their developmental milestones.
While minor issues like epilepsy (which resolved) and an irregular heart rhythm (under treatment) were reported, experts say these are not linked to mitochondrial disease.
❗ Ongoing Research:
In a few cases, traces of diseased mitochondria (between 5%–20%) were found, but far below the threshold (80%) considered risky. Researchers are monitoring these babies closely and continuing to improve the method.
Professor Mary Herbert from Newcastle University said,
“The findings give grounds for optimism. But further research is essential to refine the technique and ensure consistent results.”
🌍 A Global First:
The UK is the first country to legalise the creation of three-parent babies after a 2015 parliamentary vote. The science was developed over a decade ago at Newcastle University and is now offered through a specialised NHS service.
Professor Doug Turnbull, one of the pioneers of the technology, said:
“This is the only place in the world this could have happened. The result is eight healthy babies who may never suffer from a devastating genetic disease – a truly remarkable achievement.”
For families like the Kittos, whose daughter Poppy suffers from mitochondrial disease, this breakthrough brings new hope for future generations.
