2015 Group Project 1: Difference between revisions

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=Ethics=
=Ethics=


Some people believe that the Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques are ethical. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics in the UK examined the ethical issues and wrote in a report that “Due to the health and social benefits to individuals and families of living free from mitochondrial disorders, … we believe that if these novel techniques are adequately proven to be acceptably safe and effective as treatments, it would be ethical for families to use them, if they wish to do so and have been offered an appropriate level of information and support.”. <ref> Watts, G; Braude, P; Flinter, F; Harding, S; Lewens, T; Parker, M. (2012). '''Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review.''' retrieved from  http://nuffieldbioethics.org/report/techniques-prevention-mitochondrial-dna-disorders-ethical-review/conclusions-ethical-considerations/. 23/10/2015. </ref>
Some people believe that the Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques are ethical. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics in the UK examined the ethical issues and wrote in a report that “Due to the health and social benefits to individuals and families of living free from mitochondrial disorders, … we believe that if these novel techniques are adequately proven to be acceptably safe and effective as treatments, it would be ethical for families to use them, if they wish to do so and have been offered an appropriate level of information and support.”. <ref> Watts, G; Braude, P; Flinter, F; Harding, S; Lewens, T; Parker, M. (2012). '''Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review.''' retrieved from  http://nuffieldbioethics.org/report/techniques-prevention-mitochondrial-dna-disorders-ethical-review/conclusions-ethical-considerations/. at 23 Oct 2015. </ref>


Others hold an opposite opinion. They doubt the safety of Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques and believe that other safe means of reproduction already exist can be used instead. They argue that unlike the use of donor eggs or embryos, children born with Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques would have a genetic connection to three parents due to the fact that such therapies involve modification of the germline. Some mothers may feel that it is important to have a genetic link with their future child and that having this genetic link outweighs most disadvantages (e.g. health risks and high financial cost) associated with Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques. Thus for these intending mothers, using egg or embryo donation is not a suitable alternative. From the childrens point of view, there are also two concerns. First, children may have a troubled relationship with their parents or struggle to develop their identity they are aware that they share a mitochondrial genome with a donor. Second, Mitochondrial Gene Transfer conceived children may be exposed to some risks to their physical well-being such as the failure of donor’s mtDNA to function properly with the nuclear genes contributed by the intending parents. <ref><pubmed>26239841</pubmed></ref>
Others hold an opposite opinion. They doubt the safety of Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques and believe that other safe means of reproduction already exist can be used instead. They argue that unlike the use of donor eggs or embryos, children born with Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques would have a genetic connection to three parents due to the fact that such therapies involve modification of the germline. Some mothers may feel that it is important to have a genetic link with their future child and that having this genetic link outweighs most disadvantages (e.g. health risks and high financial cost) associated with Mitochondrial Gene Transfer techniques. Thus for these intending mothers, using egg or embryo donation is not a suitable alternative. From the childrens point of view, there are also two concerns. First, children may have a troubled relationship with their parents or struggle to develop their identity they are aware that they share a mitochondrial genome with a donor. Second, Mitochondrial Gene Transfer conceived children may be exposed to some risks to their physical well-being such as the failure of donor’s mtDNA to function properly with the nuclear genes contributed by the intending parents. <ref><pubmed>26239841</pubmed></ref>

Revision as of 20:10, 23 October 2015

2015 Student Projects 
2015 Projects: Three Person Embryos | Ovarian Hyper-stimulation Syndrome | Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | Male Infertility | Oncofertility | Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis | Students
2015 Group Project Topic - Assisted Reproductive Technology
This page is an undergraduate science embryology student and may contain inaccuracies in either description or acknowledgements.

Three Person Embryos

Three Person Embryos are embryos from oocytes that contain maternal and paternal DNA, and mitochondria from a third donor. Collectively, the techniques for the creation of Three Person Embryos are referred to as Mitochondrial Donation or Mitochondrial replacement-assisted IVF. Mitochondrial donation is used for the prevention of maternal inheritance of Mitochondrial disorders that occur due to the mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). It is considered a germ-line therapy, with the donated mitochondria being passed maternally to the next generation. Because of this it has generated debate in the media and scientific community over the ethics of its use, since the first techniques were developed in the 1980s. Recently, with the development of safer techniques, the United Kingdom and United States have begun the process of legalizing its clinical use.


<html5media width="560" height="315">https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Zs2KntZ7vU</html5media>

Teenage Girl Has Three Biological Parents [1]

History