We are stepping into a new age of planned parenthood and things might never be the same again. A unique version of a human being was born at a UK hospital this week, one that has the genetic make-up of three different parents. Medical advancements have now allowed us to overcome major hereditary diseases by utilizing the help of a new technique of invitro-fertilization. This incredulous new procedure could go a long way in permanently removing inherited problems from the human gene pool in the long run. The implications of this new technology are so immense that hospitals around the world could consider offering this facility to expecting parents.
Three’s company too
After years of research and testing, the UK parliament approved this three-parent concept and legalized it in their parliament in December 2015. As a result of this landmark decision, a young couple was able to by-pass a hereditary issue by visiting the Newcastle Fertility Centre and receiving this new brand of medical attention.
Sally Cheshire, the head of human fertilization and Embryology authority (HFEA), had this to say about the new movement: "Patients will now be able to apply individually to the HFEA to undergo mitochondrial donation treatment at Newcastle, which will be life-changing for them, as they seek to avoid passing on serious genetic diseases to future generations."
How this works
The science behind this procedure is actually quite simple to understand.
Every human cell consists of two distinct DNA structure – the nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial DNA. The nuclear DNA is a part of the nucleus of a cell, while the mitochondrial DNA is seen inside the cytoplasm of the cell.
While the nuclear DNA is passed on to a baby from both the father and mother in equal proportions, the mitochondrial DNA is only passed on from the mother to the child.
So, if the mother’s mitochondrial DNA carries any diseases, it is sure to transfer to the baby as well. Thanks to this new procedure, we can now replace the dangerous portions of the mother’s mitochondrial DNA with a third mitochondrial DNA that comes from the third contributing parent (who is also a mother).
This incredible new technique is sure to increase the life spans of children around the world, and prevent them from needless suffering from genetic disorders that can now be completely avoided.
This technique has already been adopted in Mexico, where a couple used a team of U.S doctors to deliver a baby free from Leigh Syndrome. Soon, this technique might be the norm in hospitals around the world, making for healthier human beings in the future.
