8 Babies Born with 3 Parents’ DNA to Prevent Rare Disease
A new IVF method in the UK helps families avoid deadly genetic illnesses.
What Happened
Doctors in the UK helped eight babies be born healthy using a special IVF process that includes DNA from three people.
Some mothers carry faulty DNA in their mitochondria, which can cause serious diseases in babies — including muscle weakness and organ failure.
New Method
Doctors used a healthy donor egg to replace the damaged mitochondria. The baby still gets DNA from the mother and father, plus a tiny part from the donor.
How It Was Done
They moved the mother’s DNA into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria, then fertilized it with the father’s sperm to create the embryo.
Results
22 women tried the method. So far, 8 babies have been born healthy, and one woman is still pregnant. The babies are free of mitochondrial disease.
The method gives hope to families affected by rare genetic diseases. It may not be for everyone, but it offers a safe path to having healthy children.