mitochondrial donation | Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Donor conception

This report considers the interests of people affected by donor conception - donor-conceived people, parents, donors, and all their wider family and social networks – and makes recommendations about what can be done to support, encourage and empower those making decisions about the sharing of information.

HFEA announces advice to Government on mitochondrial replacement techniques

Following its public consultation on the ethics and science of mitochondrial replacement techniques, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has today announced its advice to the Government on novel treatments that could prevent the transmission of inherited mitochondrial DNA disorders.

HFEA consultation on ‘mitochondria replacement’ techniques

The HFEA has today launched a public consultation on the ethics of new IVF-based techniques designed to prevent inherited forms of mitochondrial DNA disorders.

The consultation will garner public views on the question of whether techniques to replace ‘faulty’ mitochondria with healthy mitochondria from a donor egg, should be introduced into treatment for UK patients who are at risk of having a child with a mitochondrial DNA disorder. At present, such techniques are may only be used lawfully in research settings.

Discussion event: Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review

On 12 June 2012, the Council held a discussion event in Westminster Palace to launch its report, ‘Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review’. Find out more about this report.

Mitochondrial DNA disorders - Conclusions and ethical considerations

After considering a number of ethical questions, and having heard from a wide range of contributors, the Working Group identified a number of issues that require further consideration. The Council believes that continuing debate about these issues will be important, but it also reached a number of conclusions that the Government and others may wish to consider.

Mitochondrial DNA disorders - Introduction

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics conducted a six-month inquiry into the ethical issues raised by new techniques that aim to prevent the transmission of maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA disorders. To assist with this enquiry, the Council appointed a Working Group with varied expertise, including in science, medicine, philosophy and ethics. The Working Group took evidence from and met people representing a wide range of opinion and prepared a report, adopted by the Council, which is intended to support and promote public debate around these important and difficult issues.