June 3, 2014

results of the HFEA’s third scientific review into the safety and efficacy of mitochondria replacement

On 27 February 2014 the government launched a consultation on the draft regulations on new IVF-based techniques to prevent transmission of serious mitochondrial disease. This consultation closed on the 21 May 2014.

Alongside this the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) was asked by government to reconvene its core panel of experts to review the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of the two mitochondrial donation techniques: pro-nuclear transfer (PNT) and maternal spindle transfer (MST).

Through a call for evidence and a renewed period of information gathering, including discussions with leading representatives in this field, the group collated and summarised the current state of expert understanding on the safety and efficacy of maternal spindle transfer and pro-nuclear transfer in order to update their reports of 2011 and 2013.

The authors of the report came to the SMC to talk about the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement.

Speakers:

Prof Andrew Greenfield, Chair of the panel that produced the scientific report and current HFEA Authority Member

Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, Head of Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), and member of the panel that produced the scientific report

Hannah Verdin, Head of Policy and Communications, HFEA

Prof Peter Braude, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King’s College London, and member of the panel that produced the scientific report

Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of the HFEA