Baby's design

Scientists want to create babies with 3 parents' DNA to help them not inherit potentially fatal diseases.

In vitro fertilization experts (IVF) argue that they can eliminate mitochondrial variants - which can cause multiple organ dysfunction as well as lethal, liver, and muscle diseases. - by eliminating defective genes and replacing them with an individual's healthy DNA.

The above procedure, which is perceived as 'dangerous' by protesters, will ensure that women with serious genetic problems do not transmit the disease to their children. 'This will mean that we will use three parents' genes , ' said the Daily Telegraph , quoted by Professor Peter Illingworth, of IVF Australia's conception services program. He defended the above procedure, asserting it was not properly understood and 'does not affect the genetic structure of the child'.

The genes determine the behavior and appearance of the cell nucleus, not the mitochondria

According to Professor Illingworth, genes determine behavior and appearance from the cell nucleus, not mitochondria.'We want to remove bad mitochondria from women and replace it with healthy mitochondria through IVF. We know women with defective mitochondria pass this condition to their children. In Australia, an average of 1 child per week is born with this defect, ' the Australian researcher emphasized.

In Australia, scientists are forbidden to use the DNA of more than 2 people in any study. But the federal government is reviewing a research bill covering embryos after a report was submitted to parliament last year. Professor Illingworth said scientists hope the government will revise the law to 'light the green' for research on embryo transfer. Last month, scientists at the University of Newcastle (UK) were granted 6.5 million AUD to study this procedure.

IVF Australia wants to replace mitochondrial genes in the egg with another woman's mitochondrial gene. But Professor Carolyn Sue of the Kolling Medical Research Institute and the University of Sydney thinks the procedure is ineffective and 'dangerous'. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and religious organizations are protesting against the revision of the law.