Possibility of human embryo
(Technology)
Possibility of human embryo with three parents examined by
Maynard Joseph Delfin
Technology is taking all efforts to create healthy babies. From animals
to humans, more discoveries are coming out in the open. Even in the
formation of a human being, science is intervening to prevent
deformities in fetuses before their birth.
To remedy thousands of hereditary diseases being transmitted to newly
born babies, British scientists are looking into the possibility of
creating a human embryo with three parents as a means to correct genetic
deformities within five years.
Newcastle researchers in northern England used in vitro fertilization (IVF)
or test tube embryos from a male and two other females using a combined
DNA and their findings were recently presented at a medical conference
in Medical Research Council Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases conference
in London.
As a way to prevent mothers from passing on to their offspring possible
genetic defects and diseases, this experiment was conducted as
mitochondrial DNA deformities responsible for diseases can be
eliminated. According to statistics, one in every 5,000 or 0.02 percent
of the population of babies being born in the world may suffer from
mitochondrial diseases in the form of several diseases such as liver,
kidney, heart or brain disorders. Others suffer from speech and hearing
impairment or muscular defects or some form of epilepsy.
If this study will be successful, the scientists are looking forward
that this will help in providing better techniques in preventing such
diseases in new born babies in three to five years from now.
Mitochondria are essential since they are good sources of energy. If
they are found faulty, this means they will not be able to use food and
oxygen well in the body. As this happens, toxins may build up and later
lead to numerous deadly diseases.
Researchers said such instances can be prevented once the embryos with
problems are given sufficient attention through mitochondrial
transplant. This is done through IVF and the removal of egg's nucleus.
The removed DNA can be replaced by healthy DNA from the donor egg.
In the normal setting, the fetus receives nuclear DNA or genes from his
biological parents. But with the use mitochondrial DNA, it comes from a
third party.
Dr. Patrick Chinnery said it is like taking away the diseased
mitochondria and being replaced by healthy ones from a donor.
This study is still in its preliminary stages and will be subject for a
series of tests. But other critics are opposing the idea for possible
creation of designer babies that might have other problems in the long
run.
About the Author
Maynard Joseph Delfin finished AB Journalism (cum laude) at the
University of Santo Tomas. He has worked as book editor, deskman, copy
editor and research and publications officer in leading publishing and
research companies in the Philippines. Read more of his blogs at http://maynard_delfin.instablogs.com
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