Three parent IVF is a specialized form of In Vitro Fertilization. This intends to produce healthy human offspring by introducing genes of a third party to the genes donated by the parents to the embryo before implantation. The whole procedure is an attempt to prevent mitochondrial disease which also includes diabetes, deafness, and heart and liver ailments.
What is mitochondrial disease?
To properly understand mitochondrial disease, it is first important to define mitochondria and its function. Mitochondria are present in every cell in the body except in the red blood cells and it functions to provide the needed energy for the cell to survive. When the mitochondria are not able to produce enough energy for the cells, it may lead to cell damage and even cell death. When the mitochondrial function fails persistently, this can lead to mitochondrial disease, which has serious effect, including death.
Through the years, there is no known real cure for this disease. However, treatments are primarily given to reduce the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. The result of these treatments varies depending on the body’s reaction to such treatments. In a more recent study, mitochondrial disease can be prevented by three parent IVF, or altering the genetic makeup of the parents’ genes by introducing a third party during the process of In Vitro Fertilization, and thus producing healthy babies free of mitochondrial disease.
Why are some institutions against the three-parent IVF?
Most institutions that go against the idea of three-parent IVF are religious sectors and ethical institutions. Many objections arise due to the possibility of embryos being destroyed. Another reason could be the altering of the natural process of creating life, which go against many religious principles.
Objections from a scientific point of view are based more on the question of safety. Many people in the field of science object to this procedure being available to the public, mainly because more studies are needed to determine if this is truly safe to be considered as another option for producing healthy babies for infertile couples or even prevention of hereditary mitochondrial ailments.
What is your stand on three parent IVF?
Perhaps the real issue behind this question is whether or not we are ready to embrace a technology that directly alters production of our future generation. What happens next if this process is allowed and legalized in all parts of the world? There are many possible answers, nevertheless we cannot really tell what the future is considering all these changes in the human race.
This process could be overwhelming and complex, not to mention that it could really be expensive. IVF alone was already expensive, therefore this new process may make it even more not affordable. While it’s true that it cannot be available to everybody, there is still a question of ethics and several other issues that may surface.
Related: in vitro fertilization, IVF COST, Three Parent IVF
