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Should we allow babies to be created from three people? | Should we allow babies to be created from three people? |
(3 months later) | |
The House of Lords will vote on Tuesday on whether to allow the creation of babies with DNA from three people. | |
The fertility technique aims to help women at risk of passing on serious and often life-threatening genetic diseases through their DNA. | |
Britain would be the first country to legalise the procedure and it is estimated it could help around 150 couples a year. | |
The problem occurs when a woman carries defective DNA in a microscopic part of their cells called mitochondria. | |
Although only a tiny fraction of the DNA passed down to a child comes from the mitochondria, it can be enough to produce deadly disease. | |
The technique under debate allows scientists to replace this specific DNA with genetic material from a donor woman with properly functioning mitochondria. | |
The first attempt is expected this year, if there is a Yes vote. However, many people oppose the technology on ethical grounds. | |
If you are unable to watch, here is some of the content included in this interactive video. | If you are unable to watch, here is some of the content included in this interactive video. |