In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a baby was recently born in the UK with the DNA of three parents. This innovative approach was undertaken to prevent the child from inheriting a debilitating mitochondrial disease. This essay explores the reasons behind the need for “three parents” and the scientific process involved in treating mitochondrial diseases. Additionally, it briefly touches upon the potential side effects of this procedure.
Why did the baby need ‘three parents’?
Mitochondrial Disease and the Desire to Prevent Inheritance: Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in the mitochondria, which are responsible for generating energy within cells. When these defects occur, they can affect cell function and lead to a range of symptoms, including brain damage, organ failure, and muscle wastage. Unfortunately, these diseases have no cure but can be managed with treatment.
Mitochondrial diseases are maternally inherited, meaning they are passed on from the mother to her offspring. In the case at hand, the mother had a mitochondrial disease that she did not want to pass on to her child. However, she also desired to have a child biologically related to her and her partner, without using a donor egg.
What is mitochondrial disease?
Mitochondria and their Role in Energy Production: Mitochondria are tiny structures within cells that act as powerhouses, generating energy necessary for cellular function in the human body. Defects in mitochondria can impair their ability to produce sufficient energy, leading to mitochondrial diseases.
Mitochondrial diseases can manifest in various ways and severity. Symptoms can worsen as a child grows, resulting in significant health challenges. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for mitochondrial diseases, but treatments can help manage the symptoms.
The scientific process to treat mitochondrial disease:
Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT): To prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases, scientists developed an advanced technique called Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT). This technique involves a complex in vitro fertilization process.
- Selection of Biological Parents and Donor: The biological father’s sperm is used to fertilize the eggs from the biological mother who has the mitochondrial disease, as well as eggs from a third female donor with healthy mitochondria.
- Genetic Material Replacement: The nuclear genetic material from the donor’s egg is carefully extracted and replaced with the genetic material from the biological parents. This step ensures that the child will inherit the majority of their DNA from their biological parents while avoiding the transmission of the mitochondrial disease.
- Implantation and Birth: The reconstructed egg, now containing the genetic material from the parents and the mitochondria from the donor, is implanted into the mother’s uterus. The pregnancy then proceeds naturally until the birth of a baby free from the mother’s mitochondrial disease.
Side effects to the procedure:
Potential for Inherited Mitochondrial Errors: Although the Mitochondrial Donation Treatment is a promising technique, there is a possibility that a small number of maternal mitochondria with errors may be inadvertently transferred during the procedure. However, more published data and research are needed to establish a consensus on the extent of this risk.
Important Points:
- The baby had three parents due to the risk of inheriting a mitochondrial disease. 🧬
- Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in the mitochondria, which are responsible for generating energy within cells. ⚡️
- Mitochondrial diseases can lead to brain damage, organ failure, and muscle wastage. 🧠🫀💪
- The mother wanted a child biologically related to her and her partner without using a donor egg. 🤰👨👩👧
- Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT) was used to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases. 💉
- MDT involves selecting eggs from the biological mother with the disease and a third female donor with healthy mitochondria. 🥚🧬
- The genetic material from the donor’s egg is replaced with the genetic material from the biological parents. 🧬🔁
- The reconstructed egg, with genetic material from the parents and mitochondria from the donor, is implanted into the mother’s uterus. 🧬👶🤰
- The baby born through MDT is free from the mother’s mitochondrial disease. 🆓🧬
- There is a possibility of a small number of maternal mitochondria with errors being transferred during the procedure, but more research is needed to determine the extent of this risk. ⚠️🔬
Why In News
Revolutionary Breakthrough: First Three-Parent DNA Birth in the UK Paves the Way for Mitochondrial Disease Prevention. This historic event marks a significant milestone in reproductive medicine, offering hope to families impacted by mitochondrial diseases.
MCQs about Revolutionary Three-Parent DNA Technique
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What is the purpose of using three-person DNA in the birth of the baby in the UK?
A. To create a genetically diverse baby
B. To prevent the transmission of mitochondrial disease
C. To enhance the intelligence of the baby
D. To increase the chances of a successful pregnancy
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What are mitochondria responsible for in the human body?
A. Producing energy within cells
B. Carrying genetic material
C. Regulating hormone levels
D. Maintaining bone density
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What is the term used for the technique used to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases?
A. Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)
B. Gene Editing Procedure (GEP)
C. Chromosomal Alteration Technique (CAT)
D. Cellular Manipulation Method (CMM)
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What is one potential side effect of the Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT) procedure?
A. Increased risk of allergies
B. Transfer of maternal mitochondria with errors
C. Development of autoimmune disorders
D. Loss of fertility in the biological mother
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