This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21806911

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Three-person IVF could move closer in UK Three-person IVF could move closer in UK
(35 minutes later)
The UK could move a step closer to allowing the creation of babies from two women and a man later.The UK could move a step closer to allowing the creation of babies from two women and a man later.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is to advise ministers and report on a public consultation and the latest advances in the field.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is to advise ministers and report on a public consultation and the latest advances in the field.
The three-person IVF technique could be used to prevent debilitating and fatal "mitochondrial" diseases.The three-person IVF technique could be used to prevent debilitating and fatal "mitochondrial" diseases.
But some groups have raised ethical and safety concerns about creating babies with DNA from three people.But some groups have raised ethical and safety concerns about creating babies with DNA from three people.
The babies would have DNA from two parents and a tiny amount from a third person.The babies would have DNA from two parents and a tiny amount from a third person.
'Power stations''Power stations'
Baby after baby will die in some families due to faulty mitochondria. These are the tiny biological power stations that give energy to every cell of the body.Baby after baby will die in some families due to faulty mitochondria. These are the tiny biological power stations that give energy to every cell of the body.
Defects can leave the body starved of energy, resulting in muscle weakness, blindness, heart failure and death in the most extreme cases. About one in 200 children are born with some degree of defective mitochondria, although the symptoms are usually mild.Defects can leave the body starved of energy, resulting in muscle weakness, blindness, heart failure and death in the most extreme cases. About one in 200 children are born with some degree of defective mitochondria, although the symptoms are usually mild.
The cigar-shaped mitochondria are passed only from mother to child. A father does not pass on his mitochondria through his sperm.The cigar-shaped mitochondria are passed only from mother to child. A father does not pass on his mitochondria through his sperm.
Scientists have devised techniques that allow them to take the genetic information from the mother and place it into the egg of a donor with healthy mitochondria. It is like taking two fried eggs and switching the yolks.Scientists have devised techniques that allow them to take the genetic information from the mother and place it into the egg of a donor with healthy mitochondria. It is like taking two fried eggs and switching the yolks.
How would it work?
However, this would create a baby with genetic information from three people, as mitochondria have their own genes in their own DNA.However, this would create a baby with genetic information from three people, as mitochondria have their own genes in their own DNA.
The implications are not just for the couple and the child. If the therapy was performed it would have ramifications through the generations as scientists would be altering human genetic inheritance.The implications are not just for the couple and the child. If the therapy was performed it would have ramifications through the generations as scientists would be altering human genetic inheritance.
The issue has been the subject of a public consultation run by the fertility watchdog, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.The issue has been the subject of a public consultation run by the fertility watchdog, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
The HFEA will not give an official recommendation to government. It will pass on the findings of the consultation and agree on its advice to ministers - on issues such as the legal status of the donor and how such treatment would need to be regulated - at an open meeting on Wednesday.The HFEA will not give an official recommendation to government. It will pass on the findings of the consultation and agree on its advice to ministers - on issues such as the legal status of the donor and how such treatment would need to be regulated - at an open meeting on Wednesday.
There will also be a report reviewing the latest scientific developments.There will also be a report reviewing the latest scientific developments.
Making three-person IVF legal does not require a new act of Parliament, but would need a vote in both the Commons and the Lords.Making three-person IVF legal does not require a new act of Parliament, but would need a vote in both the Commons and the Lords.
'Uncharted territory''Uncharted territory'
At the beginning of the process, the chairwoman of the organisation, Prof Lisa Jardine, said: "It is genetic modification of the egg - that is uncharted territory. Once we have genetic modification, we have to be sure we are damn happy."At the beginning of the process, the chairwoman of the organisation, Prof Lisa Jardine, said: "It is genetic modification of the egg - that is uncharted territory. Once we have genetic modification, we have to be sure we are damn happy."
She said it was a question of "balancing the desire to help families have healthy children with the possible impact on the children themselves and wider society".She said it was a question of "balancing the desire to help families have healthy children with the possible impact on the children themselves and wider society".
It is not the first time these issues have been discussed. A report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics said the treatment was ethically OK, but the group Human Genetics Alert argues the procedure is unnecessary, dangerous and sets a precedent for genetically modified "designer" babies.It is not the first time these issues have been discussed. A report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics said the treatment was ethically OK, but the group Human Genetics Alert argues the procedure is unnecessary, dangerous and sets a precedent for genetically modified "designer" babies.
Dr David King, the director of Human Genetics Alert, said: "Just as Frankenstein's creation was produced by sticking together bits from many different bodies, it seems that there is no grotesquery, no violation of the norms of nature or human culture at which scientists and their bioethical helpers will balk."Dr David King, the director of Human Genetics Alert, said: "Just as Frankenstein's creation was produced by sticking together bits from many different bodies, it seems that there is no grotesquery, no violation of the norms of nature or human culture at which scientists and their bioethical helpers will balk."
The HGA is concerned that eggs with abnormal mitochondria may have other problems in their nucleus. If the nucleus is transferred into a donor egg the resulting child may still be unhealthy.The HGA is concerned that eggs with abnormal mitochondria may have other problems in their nucleus. If the nucleus is transferred into a donor egg the resulting child may still be unhealthy.