Designer Babies One Step Closer Thanks To UK Ruling

Chris Carrington

A ruling today brings the prospects of ‘designer babies’ a step closer to reality. The UK has approved three person IVF (in vitro fertilization) which experts say could remove the chance of fatal diseases passing down the mitochondrial DNA strand from the female line.

Defective mitochondrial DNA affects one in 6500 babies.

Opponents adamant that the procedure is unethical arguing that there are other methods available to women affected by mitochondrial disorders.

Earlier this year, a public consultation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) concluded there was “general support” for the idea and that there was no evidence that the advanced form of IVF was unsafe. The chief medical officer for England, Prof Dame Sally Davies, said: