Major milestone in IVF as eight babies born via new procedure

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Eight healthy babies have been born from a groundbreaking IVF procedure using biological material from three people. The process was designed to prevent children from inheriting incurable mitochondrial diseases and its success marks a major milestone, with researchers now hoping to start a clinical trial in Australia.

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00:00Ashley Greenholch was eight when an invisible disease took over her vision.

00:06I've blocked out a lot of memories when it comes to my time without my vision.

00:11Twenty years later, she lives with Lieber's hereditary object neuropathy,

00:16a mitochondrial genetic disease which is passed down from the mother.

00:20It's almost like a digital camera that's kind of gone out of focus.

00:23Now, a new study has given her hope.

00:26Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK to mothers who carry mitochondrial DNA mutations.

00:32I was so afraid that I'd break someone else's heart over watching a child go through this.

00:37Having these eight babies is a really remarkable achievement.

00:42It works when genetic material from a fertilised egg carrying disease-causing mitochondrial DNA

00:47is transplanted into an unaffected donor egg, which has already had its genetic material removed.

00:53The resulting embryo inherits the parent's DNA, but takes on mitochondrial DNA from the donor egg,

01:00greatly reducing the baby's chance of developing related diseases.

01:04We proceed with care, with caution, but these early indications are very promising indeed.

01:10Researchers here are hoping to start clinical trials with families by late next year,

01:15but are yet to receive approval.

01:17It's not something that is engineering different genetic traits in offspring.

01:22So this is really quite limited to these specific diseases.

01:26In Australia, about 60 babies are born with mitochondrial disease each year,

01:31and now there's optimism for those carrying the rare genetic disorders.

01:35The thought of being able to have my own children in a way that I'm not afraid is a really empowering feeling.

01:42How does that create a heart like a heart like a brain healing under the cold?

01:46Codule County which I've never heard about,

01:49that is a really hard to think about in this period of time.

01:51It's a really important experience,

01:52that is something that is also interesting to me,

01:54is that I mean, I mean, it's very important for a brain healing.

01:55I mean, it's a very natural,

01:57it's very important for a brain-feeding story for me to think about.

01:58I mean, um, so we do have an understanding of emotional or emotional.

02:00So we treat it as I have to make it every single one and that,

02:03if there are a estar when I know the body,

02:05I'm really happy with my brain feeling.

02:06I know that I'm at home and I'm really happy with my brain feeling.

02:07If there are no right, I am happy with my brain feeling,

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