Fertility health centre

'Three parent IVF' technique to be assessed by regulator

11th March 2011 - The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has been asked to coordinate a review of scientific techniques used to prevent mitochondrial disease.

Last year researchers at Newcastle University successfully transplanted genetic material from the nucleus of one fertilised human egg into another, without transferring cells which can lead to rare genetic conditions. If the technique is licensed it could lead to a foetus effectively having three parents.

The cell's batteries

Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy that cells in our body need in order to function. They are sometimes referred to as the cell's 'batteries'.

The Newcastle scientists have found a way of replacing these 'batteries'. The technique involves removing the pronuclei (genetic material from the sperm and the egg), leaving behind the potentially faulty mitochondria. They then take a fertilised egg from a donor, extract its pronuclei and replace it with the pronuclei removed from the first egg.

The resulting embryo has the nuclear DNA of the mother and father, but the mitochondrial DNA of the donor - hence the label 'Three Parent IVF' treatment.

Describing the technique last April, one of the lead authors, Professor Doug Turnbull, said: "What we've done is like changing the battery on a laptop. The energy supply now works properly, but none of the information on the hard drive has been changed."

The scientists say this technique - known as pronuclear transfer - can prevent babies inheriting mutations in mitochondrial DNA which can cause neurological, muscle and heart problems, deafness and type 2 diabetes.

The law

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act does not allow eggs and embryos that have had their nuclear or mitochondrial DNA altered to be used for treatment. However, the Act does allow the ban to be overturned without passing new laws if the DNA altered egg or embryo is used in assisted conception to prevent the transmission of serious mitochondrial disease.

When this provision was inserted into the Act, the Government gave assurance that such techniques would only be permitted if there was scientific evidence that they were safe and effective.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has set up a panel of experts to examine the techniques available. It has been asked to submit its report to the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley by the middle of April 2011. Depending on the panel's opinion, Lansley will decide whether to launch a public consultation on extending the provisions of the Act.