Kathrine Frich
One more mother is currently pregnant after undergoing the treatment.
One more mother is currently pregnant after undergoing the treatment.
Eight Babies Born from Groundbreaking IVF
Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a pioneering technique that involves the DNA of three people. ‘
The treatment, designed to prevent fatal genetic disease, offers fresh hope for families once told they couldn’t safely have children.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
Known as mitochondrial donation treatment, the method replaces faulty mitochondria from a mother’s egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor.
The baby still inherits its parents’ genes for appearance and personality, but gains a healthy boost at the cellular level.
A World-First in Newcastle
The births, which include four boys, four girls, and a set of identical twins, took place under the care of Newcastle Fertility Centre.
The clinic is the only UK facility licensed to perform the procedure, which was made legal in 2015.
Families Speak Out: ‘Science Gave Us Hope’
While the families have chosen to remain private, they’ve shared heartfelt statements.
One mother said: “After years of fear and uncertainty, this treatment gave us our baby. We look at them now, full of life and we’re overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Why This Matters: Fighting Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial disorders are inherited conditions that can damage vital organs like the brain, heart, and liver. They’re often fatal.
This technique prevents those genes from being passed on, offering a lifeline for families at risk.
One More Baby on the Way
In addition to the eight babies already born, one more mother is currently pregnant after undergoing the treatment.
Doctors are cautiously optimistic, and the scientific community is watching closely as this technique expands.
Testing and Monitoring: So Far, So Good
All babies are developing normally.
At 18 months old, they’ve shown strong progress in areas like movement, language, and social skills.
Researchers plan to continue monitoring their development through age five to ensure long-term health.
How It Works: A Delicate DNA Swap
The process involves removing the nuclear DNA from a mother’s egg (where most traits are carried) and inserting it into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria. ‘
The egg is then fertilized, creating a baby with DNA from three people, but only 0.1% from the donor.
Legal and Ethical Oversight
The treatment was approved by the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on a case-by-case basis.
Since 2017, only a handful of families have qualified, but the success of these births may encourage broader approval in future.
A New Era for Fertility Medicine
Professor Sir Doug Turnbull, one of the lead scientists behind the project, says this work offers “fresh hope” for families facing mitochondrial disease.
“Science is giving these children the chance to live full, healthy lives,” he said. “That’s extraordinary.”
