Science & Technology

UK MPs vote to allow three-parent babies

By T.K. Randall
February 3, 2015 ·  49 comments

A baby can now technically have both a father and two mothers. Image Credit: sxc.hu Britain is now set to become the first country in the world where it is legal for a baby to have three biological parents.

The controversial new law change will make it possible for doctors to perform an IVF technique that involves replacing defective mitochondrial DNA in one egg with healthy DNA from another.

The method was approved in order to help ensure that children aren't born with debilitating genetic conditions.

"All reasonable and rigorous steps have been followed to reach this point," said health minister Jane Ellison. "This is a bold step for parliament to take but it is considered an informed step. For many families affected it is light at the end of a very dark tunnel."Reactions to the decision however have been mixed with criticis arguing that the process is unethical and could lead to the creation of three-parent "designer babies" in the future.

"You are not curing somebody of something you are creating someone different," said Jacob Rees-Mogg MP. "People have compared it to blood transfusions. That is simply wrong."

Human bioethics councilor Dr Calum MacKellar warned of where such practices may ultimately lead.

"The legalisation of such procedures opens the door to a dangerous brave new future for humanity where further genetic alterations of human beings become inevitable," he said.

Source: Telegraph | Comments (49)

Tags: IVF, Birth, Parents