First Baby Successfully Containing DNA From Three Parents

Image Source:  The Sun

Genetic modification of human embryos has always been a controversial topic in the realm of science and medicine. But where is the line drawn between what's considered ethical and what's moral? Some believe they go hand-in-hand, but given this recent topic pertaining to a baby, born in Mexico five months ago, who had three parents, it has been turned upside down; the lines blurred. This particular situation, while deemed unethical in countries such as the United States, has been deemed appropriate as it was the more moral thing to do.

Without any genetic modification, this child would have died. Given the mother's background, she had four pregnancy losses as well as giving birth to two children, one of which lived less than twelve months and the other passing after six years of age. In both deaths, the common denominator was Leigh Syndrome, a neurological disease that occurs from a mutated mitochondria. After testing, it was determined that the mother had a mutated mitochondria, thus conceiving and producing a healthy child without the use of any medical intervention was next to impossible.

Seeking medical help after determining the issue was the Jordan couple's next step. Dr. John Zhang from New Hope Fertility Center located in New York City was eager to offer the couple the advice of a mitochondrial transfer; this being that they would take an egg from a donor, clearing everything out except for the healthy mitochondria, place the mother's DNA into the egg with the healthy mitochondria, and fuse it with the sperm of the father.

But, of course, this idea was only entertained allowing the couple to make their decision as the procedure could not be done in the United States due to an ethical ban. Due to religious issues, after being ensured that no embryos would be destroyed in the process, the couple agreed to go along with Zhang's plan.

The next step was to go to a country where the procedure was not exactly frowned upon, as the procedure was illegal in many countries due to being deemed "unethical." Zhang decided to perform the procedure in Mexico because not only did New Hope Fertility Center have an extension there, but also because, "...[in Mexico] there are no rules," stated Zhang.

Once fertilized and the embryo began to grow in the womb, the mother stated that this pregnancy was unlike any of the others as she could actually feel her baby moving around and kicking, something the other fetuses had not done. Nine months later in April, a bouncing baby boy was born to the Jordan couple. Upon birth, Zhang deemed the baby as healthy. The strange yet unique thing? This child technically has three parents due to the nuclear splicing.

Five months later, the child is growing as he should, still as healthy as ever, and is said to have healthy mitochondria . But for how long, is the question all experts are asking.

"We know that the procedure is not perfect," said Dr. David J. Clancy, lecturer at Lancaster University, who explained that in 2015, a published study showed "that tissue-specific expansion of mutated mitochondrial DNA during development can occur and could cause disease if levels are high enough."

It is not certain if the baby could eventually revert and develop a disease from this, but expectations are hopeful.

Specialists hope that this success will allow for further genetic modification using mitochondrial transfer. Without undergoing this procedure, many want-to-be parents will have to face not being able to a child who is genetically theirs. Which is where the line between what's ethical and what's morally right becomes blurred. Do you say no to a couple desperately wanting nothing more than a biological child after multiple failed conceptions due to mitochondrial issues because it's ethically wrong? Or do you say yes because you know that this procedure is the only thing standing in the way of the couple's happiness and beginning a family due to it being what's morally right?

Genetic modification of any type will always be a controversial topic. But when will it be noticed that sometimes even the most "unethical" procedures can be, morally, the best thing for the patient(s).