September 17, 2012

HFEA launch of the public consultation – Medical Frontiers: Debating Mitochondrial Replacement

On Monday 17 September the HFEA  launched a public consultation to gather people’s views about the social and ethical impact of new IVF-based techniques to avoid mitochondrial disease being passed down the maternal line.

The techniques, which are currently at the research stage, involve replacing unhealthy mitochondria (the energy-producing elements of a cell) in a patient’s egg with healthy mitochondria from a donated egg.

Speakers came to the SMC to discuss the novel techniques that could avoid mitochondria disorders, the issues surrounding their avoidance and the plans for generating an engaging public discussion and debate during the consultation.

Speakers:

Professor Lisa Jardine CBE, HFEA Chair

Professor Neva Haites, HFEA Authority Member and chair of the expert group overseeing the consultation

Hannah Darby, Senior Policy Manager, HFEA