Mitochondrial Transfer Techniques
Mitochondrial transfer (or mitochondrial donation) was legalized in the UK in 2015 amidst high-profile publicity that it would prove to be a ground-breaking innovation enabling women at risk of transmission of mitochondrial disease, to have genetically related children of their own. The hopes for the technique are clearly outlined by its UK pioneers, Craven, Murphy, Turnbull et al, in the first article of this collection. Mitochondrial transfer was also legalized in Australia in 2022. In May 2023 the UK’s Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) announced the birth of at least one baby from mitochondrial donation. Will this lead to further births to fulfil the promise of helping hundreds of women at risk or not? Either way, mitochondrial transfer has a fascinating history which is collated here.
Edited by
Trevor Stammers(Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, Edinburgh, Scotland)