“Researchers say that technology to shuffle genetic material between unfertilized eggs is ready to make healthy babies. The technique could allow parents to minimize the risk of a range of diseases related to defects in the energy-producing cell organelles known as mitochondria. Mitochondrial defects affect an estimated 1 in 4,000 children, and can cause rare and often fatal diseases such as carnitine deficiency, which prevents the body from using fats for energy. They are also implicated in a wide range of more common diseases affecting children and adults, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Mitochondria have their own DNA and are inherited only from the mother, so replacing defective mitochondria in eggs from mothers who have a high risk of passing on such diseases could spare the children.”
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DNA-swap technology almost ready for fertility clinic [Nature]
There’s an interesting but brief discussion about funding this type of research at the link. If the federal government won’t fund this type of research, are you okay with the private sector funding it? Furthermore is it beneficial for us in the States to let other nations (some without as many restrictions, say the United Kingdom as the piece mentions) to lead the way?
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