IVF can be carried out using donor eggs which have their nucleus removed and replaced with the nucleus of the propspective mother and then fertilised. This may be necessary because mitochondria which are found in all cells have their own DNA which can be mutated and cause disease affecting muscles. If the mother has mutated mitochondrial DNA, she can avoid passing this on to her childen by using an "empty" donor egg.

The baby produced in this way would have 3 genetic parents - a father (50% of DNA), the nucleus mother (49.9% of DNA) and mitochondrial mother (0.1% of DNA). The Nuffield Council on Bioethics have been discussing whether or not this is ethical. What do you think?


Link to BBC news story
Report from the Nuffield Council