Yesterday, MPs voted in favour of the creation of babies with DNA from two women and one man, in a historic move. The UK is now set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. The technique would stop genetic diseases being passed from mother to child via Mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the tiny compartments inside nearly every cell of the body that convert food into useable energy. They have their own DNA, which does not affect characteristics such as appearance. The nucleus of the cell, which holds 99% of our DNA and responsible for our personal features like eye and hair colour, would not be affected.
Defective mitochondria are passed down only from the mother. They can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. Mitochondrial Donation would enable a woman with good mitochondria to donate her cells to a woman with defective mitochondria.
In a free vote in the Commons, 382 MPs were in favour and 128 MP against. MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tim Loughton, was one of the MPs who voted in favour of the treatment.
Tim commented: ‘I am aware that this is a very controversial issue and if we are to go ahead with these changes then it is essential that they are subject to the toughest regulatory regime. I am certainly not one to support anything that resembles ‘designer babies’ but crucially Mitochondrial Donation does not involve the genetic cells which determine the character of a baby, it is instead dealing with the defective energy source which powers those cells. Having met families affected by this terrible disease I am in no doubt that the case to provide an effective cure now well outweighs the possible risks and that is why I gave support to the change in the law. I am grateful for all the comments from constituents and having set out my views in details through my video podcast I hope that people respect the decision I have taken even if they do not agree with it.’