Question

Mitochondrial replacement trerapy questions

Some critics of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) suggest that allowing MRT would potentially result in the creation of 'designer babies'. Which of the following statements provides a counter to this argument? Donation of eggs for mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is only allowed from close relatives, thus limiting the potential for manipulating the nuclear genome of the resultant embryo. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) only treats individuals suffering from a mitochondrial disease, and does not have any implications for their offpsring. The use of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) allows protection of the mitochondrial genome from mutagens such as oxygen free radicals which benefits individuals with mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) only replaces the mitochondrial genome and does not use DNA editing techniques that target specific phenotypes in the nuclear genome.

Answer 1

Designer babies are potential babies whose traits have been manipulated by technology. The embryos are genetically modified to produce desirable traits.

Faults in mitochondria can result in diseases like muscular dystrophy, heart, liver and kidney failure and weakness of muscles. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is used when mothers carry genes for mitochondrial diseases. MRT is a form of in vitro fertilization in which the potential baby's mitochondrial DNA comes from a third party.

It is not necessary that the eggs for MRT are donated only by close relatives. Donor eggs can be obtained from individuals with healthy mitochondria.

MRT is not used for treating individuals suffering from a mitochondrial disease but through MRT, the transfer of disease from mother to offspring is prevented.

MRT doesn’t guarantee protection of mutagens like oxygen-free radicals.

MRT brings about change in mitochondrial DNA since it is obtained from the donor and does not change ‘nuclear DNA’. It only replaces the mitochondrial genome and have no effects on nuclear genome and so does not target specific phenotypic traits of an individual.

Therefore, the best counter argument for ‘allowing MRT would produce designer babies’ would be MRT only replaces the mitochondrial genome and does not use DNA editing techniques that target specific phenotypes in the nuclear genome.