Mitochondrial donation: the revolutionary therapy

Mitochondrial donation is a cutting-edge Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) designed to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child. This groundbreaking technique provides hope for families affected by these genetic conditions, allowing them to have healthy children. By replacing defective mitochondria in an egg or embryo with healthy ones from a donor, mitochondrial donation ensures the resulting child is free from mitochondrial disorders.

The procedure involves transferring healthy mitochondria from a donor’s egg into an egg or embryo of the intended mother. This technique is used when the mother carries defective mitochondria, which can cause severe genetic disorders. Mitochondria are tiny energy-producing structures within cells, and their health is essential for overall development. There are two main techniques for mitochondrial donation:

1 – Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST). This technique involves transferring the spindle (a structure responsible for separating chromosomes during cell division) from the mother’s egg cell into a donor egg cell, from which the spindle has been removed. The resulting egg cell contains the mother’s genetic material, but it is now enriched with healthy mitochondria from the donor.
2 – Pronuclear Transfer (PNT). In this approach, the nucleus from a fertilized egg (which contains mitochondrial mutations) is removed and transferred into a donor egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed. This creates a fertilized egg with the genetic material of the mother and healthy mitochondria from the donor.

Mitochondria are small, double-membrane organelles found in most of the cells in your body. They are present in almost all human cells, including eggs. Often referred to as the “powerhouses” of the cell, their primary role is to generate energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for powering various cellular functions. Mitochondria have their own DNA, separate from the DNA in the cell’s nucleus. This mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited exclusively from the mother, making mitochondrial health crucial for offspring. Mutations in mtDNA can lead to mitochondrial diseases, which are often severe and affect multiple systems in the body.

A woman who donates eggs or embryos for mitochondrial donation is not regarded as the genetic parent of the resulting child. Furthermore, donors remain anonymous, and the child cannot access identifying information about them, even upon turning 18.

The primary advantage is the prevention of mitochondrial diseases, which can lead to conditions such as muscular dystrophy, neurological disorders, and organ failure. Families with a history of these disorders now have the opportunity to conceive healthy biological children.

In cases where the intended mother cannot carry a pregnancy, this technique can be combined with surrogacy. The process involves creating an embryo using mitochondrial donation and transferring it into a surrogate’s uterus. This allows intended parents to ensure their child is free of mitochondrial disorders while relying on the surrogate to carry the pregnancy to term.

Surrogacy with mitochondrial donation is subject to the regulations of the country where the process occurs. It is essential to work with specialized clinics and legal professionals to navigate the complexities of this option.

It is permitted in only a few countries, including the United Kingdom, where stringent regulations ensure its ethical application. The process involves three genetic contributors (the parents and the mitochondrial donor) making it a subject of ethical debate. However, the donor’s contribution is limited to less than 1% of the total DNA, ensuring the child’s characteristics primarily reflect those of the parents. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) provide a path to parenthood for individuals and couples facing infertility or genetic concerns. These methods enable people to have biological children while overcoming medical, social, or legal barriers.

As research and technology continue to advance, mitochondrial donation is set to become more widely available and accessible. It represents a monumental step forward in reproductive medicine, offering families a chance to break the cycle of genetic disorders.

If you’re considering the use of this advanced method or want to learn more about your options, consult a trusted fertility clinic to explore how this innovative technique can help build your family or contact us at: [email protected]