Scientists Just Used Three-Person DNA to Prevent Deadly Diseases in Babies

In a breakthrough that could change the future of fertility treatment, researchers in Britain announced this week that eight healthy babies were born using an experimental DNA technique designed to prevent rare and often fatal genetic diseases, CNN reported.

The method, sometimes called “three-person IVF,” combines DNA from a mother, a father, and a donor to help families avoid passing on destructive mutations in mitochondrial DNA. 

While most of our DNA comes from the mother and father’s genetic material in the nucleus of a cell, mitochondria—the cell’s power source—carry a tiny but critical amount of their own DNA. Mutations there can lead to devastating conditions, including muscle weakness, seizures, and organ failure.

For a small number of parents, traditional genetic testing can’t always predict the risk of these conditions. That’s where the three-person technique comes in. 

Scientists extract healthy mitochondria from a donor egg and transfer the parents’ genetic material into it before fertilization. The result? An embryo with healthy mitochondria and less than 1% donor DNA—too little to affect the child’s traits, but enough to make a difference for their health.

“This marks an important milestone,” said Dr. Zev Williams of Columbia University Fertility Center. “It’s empowering more couples to pursue safe, healthy pregnancies.”

The procedure has been carefully regulated in the U.K. since 2016 and is approved only for patients who have no other options. Researchers at Newcastle University and Monash University in Australia reported that out of 22 patients treated, eight have delivered healthy babies. One woman is still pregnant.

However, some experts remain cautious. Critics warn of unknown long-term effects on future generations. In the U.S., federal law still prohibits clinical research involving heritable genetic modifications, keeping the technique off-limits for now.

For families who’ve faced mitochondrial disease, the potential is life-changing. 

Liz Curtis, whose daughter Lily died from the condition in 2006, called the advance “super exciting for families that don’t have much hope.” Curtis now leads the Lily Foundation, which supports research into mitochondrial diseases, including this groundbreaking work.

Related: Scientists Uncover DNA Puzzle: 6,000-Year-Old Remains Reveal Mysterious Ancestors