A very controversial topic that tends to blow minds is that can a baby be born with three parents? Well a simple one word answer to this question is a YES. A baby can be formed from three parents: one mother, one father and one donor. Three parent IVF is the technique that brings in new hope for couples and families that have inheritable mitochondrial disorders. As the offspring of such couples tend to have some severe genetic conditions, the use of three IVF procedure can help them to have a healthy baby.
This procedure was first performed by Dr. John Zhang in the year 2016 by the process of electrofusion to transfer the nucleus genome from the mother’s egg to the cytoplasm of the donor's egg that contains the healthy mitochondria. After this, the egg is fertilized with the father’s sperm and transferred inside the mother’s womb. Let us take a deep dive into this article and learn more about three parent IVF. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Jyoti Bali, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Fellowship in Reproductive medicine, Director of BabySoon IVF and Fertility Center, to know more about three IVF procedure.
What is three parent IVF?
Three-parent IVF is a procedure in which the genetic materials of three people: DNA of the father, mother and the mitochondrial DNA of an egg donor-can be used to have a baby. Atleast one parents' genetic material should be involved in producing the child. Replacing the ovum, sperm or the uterus are the three things that can be interchanged or taken from a third parent for a successful three parent IVF procedure. Mitochondrial transfer is a major component of three parent IVF. To explain in lay man terms, It is egg from a donor, if a woman cannot produce her own eggs or a man for sperms, while surrogacy is using the uterus of another woman.
Also read: Secondary Infertility: A Major Concern For Parents These Days
Can a baby be formed from 3 parents?
The question that often tends to confuse people and leave them in surprise is, Can a baby be born with three parents : one mother, one father and one donor? It is possible for a baby to be born through three IVF. However, one needs to understand that this procedure is not done to choose a baby’s height, weight, eye color or complexion. This procedure helps to stop the rare genetic conditions from passing on from one generation to the other. There are a few genetic conditions such as:
- Mitochondrial myopathy diabetes and deafness
- Leigh Syndrome
- Leber’s optic neuropathy
- Myo Neurogenic gastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE)
- Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers (MERRF)
- Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke like symptoms (MELAS)
Couples can be blessed with a baby by performing a three parent IVF technique. Most of the babies born with these conditions usually tend to have severe motor neurological and developmental issues. These conditions tend to affect 1 out of 5000 pregnancies and hence it can help so many couples to solve these problems so that they can have their own genetic offsprings. Dr. John Zhang was the first person to carry out this procedure in the year 2016 who did this procedure for a Jordanian couple who had multiple issues with their pregnancy.
Also read: World IVF Day 2020: Lifestyle Factors Are The Leading Causes Of Infertility. Know Why IVF Is A Boon
Dr. Jyoti mentioned that both upper and lower houses have passed the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) bill and now it is a law as on 25th January, 2022. However, it will take a duration of 6 months to form a board for implementation. After which, the law of the land will be followed which says donors will be regulated through the board. And, both commercial and foreign surrogacy are banned in India. Post the smooth functioning of ART Bill, 27.5 million infertile couples will be more sure of the ethical practices in ART in ART clinics and banks. Legalizing three parents IVF is a matter of concern and it can give a new life to many couples trying to have a baby.