Researchers in Great Britain are in the works of creating a new fertility treatment to help eliminate the effects of many
mitochondrial diseases. These mitochondrial diseases can be potentially hazardous to many vital organs and tissues that use a lot of energy. What is surprising is that about one in every 200 people carry some aspect of a mitochondrial mutation. In this new treatment process, doctors are able to remove a nucleus from an affected egg and transplant that into a healthy egg that has also had its nucleus removed. This new egg still carries all of the chromosomes from the mother, but will now have the mitochondria from the egg donor.
Authorization for this new process is still in the works since it will produce In vitro fertilization embryos and will carry DNA from both parents and those of the donor. Current British law prohibits this type of genetic modification, but changes in legislation are promising. If this does go through, it could seriously change the lives of people who do suffer from
mitochondrial diseases. Overall, I believe that this is a good sign in the way of genetics.
This article is very interesting on how doctors can save unusable eggs. Although i think this is great for women to allow them to have a chance to use their own eggs before trying for donors, but what are the side affects if the mutatuion in the egg does not take place? Does that become life threating for the woman since the harmful mitochondria will be damaging tissues? Also, what is the success rate that the egg will accepted the mitochondria mutatuion and allow fertilization to take place? How is this method more preferable than just having a donated egg planted inside her and knowing that the egg is already healthy without having all the possiblities of harmful side affects.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing how doctors could be able to remove a nucleus from an affected egg, without changing the chromosomes or affecting anything else. Really shows how far science has come!
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting on how doctors can save unusable eggs. Although i think this is great for women to allow them to have a chance to use their own eggs before trying for donors, but what are the side affects if the mutatuion in the egg does not take place? Does that become life threating for the woman since the harmful mitochondria will be damaging tissues? Also, what is the success rate that the egg will accepted the mitochondria mutatuion and allow fertilization to take place? How is this method more preferable than just having a donated egg planted inside her and knowing that the egg is already healthy without having all the possiblities of harmful side affects.
ReplyDeleteI am totally against this. I understand that this creates many opportunities for parents who are susceptible to disease, but a human with three genetic partners is ridiculous. Nature needs to take its course sometimes. This may be harsh for some; in the future I may suffer from this issue, but there is no reason to bring a third party into the birth of a child. I am not taking a religious stance by any means... I am just saying it takes two to tango, not 3
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