expert reaction to news reports of first baby born using mitochondrial replacement therapy
There have been news reports that babies have been born in the UK following mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT). Dr … read more
There have been news reports that babies have been born in the UK following mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT). Dr … read more
Research published in Science shows that mitochondria interact with cell nucleus’ in ways previously unseen in humans. Matching mitochondrial DNA … read more
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified new ways in which mitochondria, the ‘batteries’ that produce our energy, interact … read more
Reactions to a piece published in NEJM which discusses which women stand to benefit from mitochondrial donation. Dr Hansong … read more
Reactions to news of the birth of a baby through mitochondrial DNA transfer in Greece. A spokesperson for the Human … read more
This week I had the honour of being made an honorary fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. A number of the press officers and scientists in the room encouraged me to post my short acceptance speech on my blog…so here you go. read more
By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more
The HFEA has granted doctors at Newcastle Fertility Centre permission to perform mitochondrial replacement therapy on two women who are at risk of passing on mitochondrial disease to their offspring. read more
A genetic mutation implicated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common heritable heart condition – has been corrected in preimplantation human embryos using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, as reported by scientists in Nature. read more
Published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online, scientists have described the technique they used to create the first live birth after oocyte spindle transfer to prevent transmission of the mitochondrial disease, Leigh syndrome. read more
I don’t know of a single fake news story in science or health. Not one – or not in national news media anyway. Yet everywhere I go people are discussing this new scourge, even in science and media circles where fake news is a non-issue. read more
The HFEA has approved a licence application for Newcastle University to use mitochondrial donation therapy in treating mitochondrial disease. read more
The National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) have published a new report, Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance. read more
A baby has been born to a previously infertile couple in Ukraine using pronuclear transfer, a new type of “three-person IVF”. read more
The HFEA decided to permit the clinical use of mitochondrial donation techniques in the UK. read more
Researchers, publishing in the journal Nature, have reported on a study which used mitochondrial donation therapy to replace pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations in human ooctyes with mitochondrial DNA from healthy donor eggs. The researchers report the potential of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) to reduce the transfer of mitochondrial disease from mother to child. read more
An independent expert panel, convened by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), have published their fourth scientific review into the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial donation techniques, recommending that those techniques be approved for “cautious use” in “specific circumstances”. These comments accompanied a press briefing. read more
After Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing mitochondrial donation last year the UK regulatory process for this new treatment has moved on. The Newcastle based scientists ready to offer the treatment have answered more of the scientific questions raised and the HFEA commissioned a fourth independent science panel to review this and other research. Meanwhile stories emerge of babies being born around the world with the same technique but under very different regulatory oversight.
Now this incredible treatment takes a very significant step closer to the clinic as the science review panel delivers its fourth and possibly final report on the state of the science and makes recommendations as to whether it is safe and effective in order to proceed to treating patients.
A paper outline published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility and to be presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in October reported what is thought to be the first baby born using mitochondrial donation techniques for the purpose of disease prevention. read more
Publishing in Nature, scientists have reported that, in their study in mice, looking at mitochondrial donation, the matching of transferred mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA has an impact on metabolism and healthy ageing. read more