Three parent IVF...

The papers have dubbed it "three parent IVF" which is likely to send the anti-IVF brigade off on a familiar rant but in fact a new technique currently being investigated could prevent serious genetic conditions being passed from mother to child. The HFEA has launched a consultation into the process, which replaces the faulty genetic material in the mother's egg, to consider whether the technique should be offered.

The new technique involves using a donor egg and taking out the nucleus, which is replaced with the nucleus from the mother's egg. The faulty material, which is contained in the rest of the contents of the egg, is therefore eliminated which means that the resulting embryo should be healthy. The donor would only have a limited genetic link to the child as the crucial nuclear DNA would still be inherited from the mother.

Scientists are still investigating the technique which has the potential to prevent diseases that are currently incurable and a change in the law would be necessary in order for it to be offered to patients.

You can read a statement from the HFEA about the consultation at www.hfea.gov.uk