Serious mitochondrial disease: new techniques to prevent transmission

New techniques have been developed that would prevent serious mitochondrial disease being passed from a mother to her children. They involve the use of disease free eggs or embryos from a donor.

A change in the law would be needed for these techniques to be used in treatment. Draft regulations amending the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990 (as amended) to allow such treatments to be carried out are published today for comment.