IVF technique that reduces genetic disease is safe, claim researchers

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Researchers have said that IVF-based technique that reduces the risk of debilitating genetic disorders from being passed from mother to children is safe.

Scientists reported an in-depth analysis of human embryos created using the new technique designed to reduce the risk of mothers passing on mitochondrial disease to their children, which is debilitating and often life-limiting.

Mitochondrial disease is a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs when the mitochondria of the cell fail to produce enough energy for cell or organ function, according to MitoAction, a US-based organisation working to improve quality of life for adults and children affected by the disease.

The new technique, called "early pronuclear transfer," involves transplanting the nuclear DNA from a fertilised egg into a donated egg, which contains healthy mitochondria, on the day of fertilisation.

Results of the study involving over 500 eggs from 64 donor women indicate that the new procedure does not adversely affect human development and will greatly reduce the level of faulty mitochondria in the embryo.

The results suggest that the technique will lead to normal pregnancies whilst also reducing the risk of babies having mitochondrial disease.

(With IANS inputs)