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Parent Children: UK Scientists Create "Designer
Embryos" Containing DNA From A Man And
TWO Women
The breakthrough gives hope of healthy
children to couples with genetic disorders
in their families. It also offers the
prospect of eradicating fatal genetic
diseases. But the procedure - dubbed three
person IVF - sparked controversy last night.
Researchers at Newcastle University set out
to prevent damaged DNA in mitochondria - the
"batteries" that power cells -
from being passed on to offspring. They
removed nuclei from the sperm and egg of
affected couples, leaving behind the
mitochondria. The nuclei were put into one
of the fertilised eggs left over after other
women had IVF treatment. This egg had its
nuclei removed - but retained its healthy
mitochondria. Eighty embryos were created
but destroyed after eight days. Lead
researcher Professor Doug Turnbull said:
"What we've done is like changing the
battery on a laptop." The scientists
would need a special licence to culture
embryos for longer periods and the procedure
would currently be illegal in IVF clinics.
One in 200 British children born each year
has a genetic mutation and some are fatal.
But opponent Josephine Quintavalle, of the
anti-cloning group CORE, said: "They
are creating a child with two mothers. We
have to find better ways to cure
diseases."