A new study from the UK-based doctors reveals that genetic mutations in DNA can help prevent the passing of hereditary-based diseases to next generations, after eight babies born with the new method were found to have no genetic disease links in their DNA.
The method pioneered by the UK scientists combined the egg and sperm from parents with a second egg from a female donor.
The technique, though controversial, is legally allowed in the country; the latest study on scientific mutations reported the first breakthrough with children born free of incurable mitochondrial disease.
These diseases are usually passed from mother to child, requiring additional nutritional sources from the mother's nutritional reserves.
These diseases can cause severe disability, and some babies die within days after being born. Though the children born out of the three-person DNA technique appear to be immune to hereditary diseases, as reported in cases of conventional birth.
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"After years of uncertainty, this treatment gave us hope—and then it gave us our baby," said the mother of a baby girl. "We look at them now, full of life and possibility, and we're overwhelmed with gratitude."
About one in 5,000 babies is born with mitochondrial diseases. The team in Newcastle anticipates there is demand for 20 to 30 babies born through the three-person method each year.
The results show that in five cases, the diseased mitochondria were undetectable. In the other three, between 5 per cent and 20 per cent of mitochondria were defective in blood and urine samples. This is below the 80 per cent thought to cause the disease.
The scientists are now expected to proceed with further research in an attempt to eliminate the cure for the remaining 20 per cent of cases.
The estimated lifetime cost for treating a serious mitochondrial disease in the UK is around £1.3 million per patient.
Globally, the mitochondrial disease therapies market is projected to grow from USD 420 million in 2024 to USD 1,817 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.5 per cent.
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The latest research appears to have provided a ray of hope and a major breakthrough in the study of modern genealogy and aimed to reduce the cost of treatment.
Though there are no immediate plans for the scientists to expand their research findings to other countries.
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