The 8 babies with modified genes

They were born in the United Kingdom using three people's genetic material. Thus they could prevent devastating and usually mortal diseases. But the 8 babies with modified genes are not exempt from controversy. The method was developed by British scientists. It combines the ovule and sperm of the mother and the father with a second ovule of a donor woman.

Disease -free

The technique is legal in the country for a decade. Now you have the first proof that it is giving rise to the birth of children free of incurable mitochondrial diseases. These conditions are usually transmitted from mother to child and cause a lack of energy in the body. This can cause serious disabilities and some babies die a few days after birth. Couples know that they run risk if their previous children, some member of the family or mother have suffered these diseases.

Children born through the technique of three people inherit most of their DNA, their genetic map, their parents. But they also get a small amount, around 0.1 %, from the second woman. It is a change that is transmitted from generation to generation. "After years of uncertainty, this treatment gave us hope and then gave us our baby," said a girl's mother. "Now we look at it, full of life and possibilities, and we are overwhelmed by gratitude."

Approximately one in 5,000 babies is born with a mitochondrial disease. The Newcastle team foresees a demand from between 20 and 30 babies born through the three -people method per year. The embryos develop until the sperm DNA and the ovule form a couple of structures called pronuseos. These contain the plans to build the human body, such as hair and height.

Controversy and hope

Pronruceousos are extracted from both embryos and the DNA of the parents is introduced into the embryo full of healthy mitochondria. The resulting child is genetically related to his parents, but should be free of mitochondrial diseases. For some, this was a step too far when technology was discussed. And it raises the fear that the door opened to the "design" "genetically modified babies. But for many affected families, it is the first real hope of breaking the cycle of this hereditary disease ».