UK Wedding News
02/02/2015
Defective mitochondria are passed only from mother to child, but scientists have developed new IVF-based techniques which are said to have the potential to prevent the transmission of serious mitochondrial disease. Known as 'mitochondrial donation', the therapy would involve removing the defective mitochondria inherited from the mother and replacing them with the healthy mitochondria of another woman.
The nuclear DNA, which contains 99.9% of genetic material from the mother and father, remains unchanged, but as mitochondria have a tiny amount of their own DNA, any child as a result of the treatment would have genetic information from three people.
The controversial issue is due to be debated by MPs on Tuesday (3 February), and while it is understood Ministers would like the technique to be approved, the senior church figures have spoken out against the method.
Reverend Dr Brendan McCarthy, the Church of England's national adviser on medical ethics, said that the organisation was aware of "the complex ethical issues" raised by the technique, but added: "Changing the human germline represents an ethical watershed".
He continued: "It is right to be cautious, requiring a comprehensive debate and degree of consensus with regard to the ethics, safety and efficacy of these techniques before any change to the current provisions are made.
"We accept in certain circumstances that embryo research is permissible as long as it is undertaken to alleviate human suffering and embryos are treated with respect. We have great sympathy for families affected by mitochondrial disease and are not opposed in principle to mitochondrial replacement.
"A wide number of questions remain to be answered before it would be wise to proceed. For example, the two proposed techniques involved in MRT are not ethically identical – little debate has been given to this.
"Our view, however, remains that we believe that the law should not be changed until there has been further scientific study and informed debate into the ethics, safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement therapy."
Bishop John Sherrington, Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, Catholic Church in England and Wales, commented: "No other country has allowed this procedure and the international scientific community is not convinced that the procedure is safe and effective.
"It seems extraordinary that a licence should be sought for a radical new technique affecting future generations without first conducting a clinical trial.
"There are also serious ethical objections to this procedure which involves the destruction of human embryos as part of the process. The human embryo is a new human life, and it should be respected and protected from the moment of conception.
"This is a very serious step which Parliament should not rush into taking."
MPs will vote to amend the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 tomorrow (Tuesday).
(JP/MH)
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
Churches Oppose Three-Person Baby Proposals
Churches in the UK have voiced their opposition to the proposed new mitochondrial replacement therapy.Defective mitochondria are passed only from mother to child, but scientists have developed new IVF-based techniques which are said to have the potential to prevent the transmission of serious mitochondrial disease. Known as 'mitochondrial donation', the therapy would involve removing the defective mitochondria inherited from the mother and replacing them with the healthy mitochondria of another woman.
The nuclear DNA, which contains 99.9% of genetic material from the mother and father, remains unchanged, but as mitochondria have a tiny amount of their own DNA, any child as a result of the treatment would have genetic information from three people.
The controversial issue is due to be debated by MPs on Tuesday (3 February), and while it is understood Ministers would like the technique to be approved, the senior church figures have spoken out against the method.
Reverend Dr Brendan McCarthy, the Church of England's national adviser on medical ethics, said that the organisation was aware of "the complex ethical issues" raised by the technique, but added: "Changing the human germline represents an ethical watershed".
- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
He continued: "It is right to be cautious, requiring a comprehensive debate and degree of consensus with regard to the ethics, safety and efficacy of these techniques before any change to the current provisions are made.
"We accept in certain circumstances that embryo research is permissible as long as it is undertaken to alleviate human suffering and embryos are treated with respect. We have great sympathy for families affected by mitochondrial disease and are not opposed in principle to mitochondrial replacement.
"A wide number of questions remain to be answered before it would be wise to proceed. For example, the two proposed techniques involved in MRT are not ethically identical – little debate has been given to this.
"Our view, however, remains that we believe that the law should not be changed until there has been further scientific study and informed debate into the ethics, safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement therapy."
Bishop John Sherrington, Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, Catholic Church in England and Wales, commented: "No other country has allowed this procedure and the international scientific community is not convinced that the procedure is safe and effective.
"It seems extraordinary that a licence should be sought for a radical new technique affecting future generations without first conducting a clinical trial.
"There are also serious ethical objections to this procedure which involves the destruction of human embryos as part of the process. The human embryo is a new human life, and it should be respected and protected from the moment of conception.
"This is a very serious step which Parliament should not rush into taking."
MPs will vote to amend the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 tomorrow (Tuesday).
(JP/MH)
Top stories
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
