A private fertility clinic in the US has launched an investigation into the health of 17 teenagers born as a result of an IVF technique which produced the world’s first ‘three-parent babies’ 15 years ago.
The Science Editor of the Independent newspaper, Steve Connor, highlighted that up to now there have been no checks for long-term health problems on the children born as a result of the technique, known as cytoplasmic transfer.
He commented that “any long-term health problems resulting from the technique could be embarrassing for the private IVF clinic” which is now tracking down the 17 teenagers conceived through the procedure. The US Food and Drug Administration intervened to ban cytoplasmic transfer in 2002.
The UK government has announced its intention to press ahead with a similar technique known as 'mitochondrial donation' which also mixes the genes of two women and one man. The proposals will be debated by the House of Commons next week.
Read Steve Connor's article here (Independent) >
Read Christian Concern's response to the recent HFEA consultation on plans for "three parent babies" by clicking here >
