The idea of a baby having three parents may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is actually a reality. In recent years, reproductive endocrinologists have developed a technique that allows a baby to be born with the DNA of three different people. This technique is used to help families affected by mitochondrial diseases, which can be passed from mothers to their children in DNA.
Can a Baby Have Three Parents?
Yes, a baby can have three parents. Last fall, the New York-based reproductive endocrinologist John Zhang made headlines when he reported the birth of a “three-parent” baby — a healthy boy carrying the blended DNA of the birth mother, her husband and an unrelated female donor. This technique is known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), and it is used to help families affected by mitochondrial diseases.
MRT involves replacing the nucleus of an egg from the mother with the nucleus of an egg from a donor. The donor egg is then fertilized with the father’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is implanted in the mother’s uterus. This process allows the baby to have the genetic material from three different people.
How Does MRT Work?
MRT is a complex process that involves several steps. First, the nucleus of an egg from the mother is removed and replaced with the nucleus of an egg from a donor. The donor egg is then fertilized with the father’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is implanted in the mother’s uterus.
The donor egg is chosen because it contains healthy mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organelles found in cells. Mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations in the mitochondrial DNA, so the donor egg helps to reduce the risk of the baby inheriting the disease.
Thanks to advances in reproductive technology, it is now possible for a baby to have three parents. This technique, known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), is used to help families affected by mitochondrial diseases. MRT involves replacing the nucleus of an egg from the mother with the nucleus of an egg from a donor, which allows the baby to have the genetic material from three different people. While this technique is still relatively new, it has been used successfully to help families affected by mitochondrial diseases.
Questions & Answers
Q: Can a baby have three parents?
A: Yes, a baby can have three parents. This is made possible through a technique known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT).
Q: How does MRT work?
A: MRT involves replacing the nucleus of an egg from the mother with the nucleus of an egg from a donor. The donor egg is then fertilized with the father’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is implanted in the mother’s uterus. This process allows the baby to have the genetic material from three different people.
