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Kristopher L. Charles
Professor Pamela Reed
Composition I
TR: 8-9:15am

Three-Parent IVF
A new and exciting technique has been introduced to the field of
Genetics not too long ago. This technique is one that falls into the category
of oocyte modification by the name of 3-person IVF (in vitro fertilization).
Although this technique is relatively new and has not had a chance to prove
itself useful, the general public has already ordained it unworthy to be used
because of the evidence known as fallacies drowning out the worlds more
controversial and untested theories, that in-fact could be proven useful
and/or vital to the survival of humanity.
Three-person IVF is the newest and most efficient technique that has
been invented to fight against mitochondrial disease. Without oocyte
manipulation, the main current approach to try to circumvent mutations
involves a process called preimplantation genetic diagnosis, which hinges on
closely examining embryo cells early on. But it can be a poor predictor of
mtDNA mutations. (Maron, 2014). The current technique to fight against
mitochondrial diseases is one that only predicts whether or not it will occur,
and whats worse is that it isnt even efficient at what it is supposed to do.
Which poses the question, Why are we not pushing for something like the 3parent IVF to be looked into and developed? Why would anyone not want

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the best for their children? Why wouldnt we as a species push forward rather
than be satisfied with where we are at, when where we are at is obviously
not the right place to stop, because if it was, then wouldnt we have already
solved all of the worlds problems?
Some scientists may have the wrong idea of what this technique is
implementing and what is going to be the consequences of a technique such
as this. It is important to remember that mitochondrial DNA represents less
than 0.054 per cent of the total DNA, and is not part of the nuclear DNA,
which determines our personal characteristics and traits such as personality,
hair and eye colour. (Knapton, 2015) The only thing the donor is giving is
the mitochondrial DNA. Which has nothing to do with how an individual will
act or appear. In fact, the mothers nucleus will not be altered in any shape,
way, or form. The technique solely focuses on fixing a hereditary
mitochondrial disease that will wreak unfathomable devastation on the child
that has it, along with their family. Not only will three-parent IVF stop the
child from receiving this modern day curse, but it will stop the hereditary
disease cold in its tracks! An entire blood line will be safe from this disease.
Which is kind of the goal of anyone in the medical field, right? To save
peoples lives and to do anything that we can to make them healthier? Does
this not do just that? If it does, then this one action could save countless
lives. These lives being every life that descends after this child.
I remember the first patient I looked after with mitochondrial disease.
He had been playing football with his friends, then out of the blue he had a

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fit and was brought to hospital. Then he had another fit. And another. And
another. We couldnt stop them despite giving him all the drugs we had. So
we took him to intensive care and took over most of his body functions. But
we still couldnt stop the fits. And then he had one last fit and died. And as
his family stood around the bed and wept quietly, they all knew why. John
had mitochondrial disease. His mother, who had given him so much in life,
had also given him bad mitochondrial DNA. And so he had died. (Solomon,
2015). Even though this example may seem like it is an extreme one, it is not
in any sense. This is one of many examples that all end in the very same
result. There are many terrible defects and conditions that the mitochondrial
disease leads to. Depending on which tissues in the body are most affected,
this might be fits, diabetes, blindness, muscle wasting, heart disease,
deafness, dementia pretty much anything you can imagine. (Solomon,
2015). Many of these can, in real cases, lead to an excruciating and certain
death. These are children that we are talking about. These little, innocent,
and helpless beings are born into a constant, harsh battle that they are most
likely not going to survive. So, again, I beg to ask the question, Why are we
not pushing to make this a common practice? Is it because you dont
understand that it does not make any real change in the person that is to be
born? Is it because new and uncertain things scare you as a scientist?
Neither of those should be problem. Both of these questions, and more, have
been answered. The scientists in the UK have had success with human
embryo trials (not actual human trials). Though they did not follow through

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to allow the oocyte to grow, the embryo was still without the mitochondrial
disease and still of the same, human, deoxyribonucleic acid.
Three-parent IVF is a technique that is sorely misunderstood. It, in no
way, has any effect on a persons DNA that deals with who or what they are.
It simply fixes the mitochondrial DNA. This is just to fix the battery of all
the cells in the body so that the child will be able to live. Mitochondria are
an essential part of the bodys makeup. They are like little batteries inside
almost every cell in the body, giving it energy. (Solomon, 2015). Nor does
this have any effect on the law that IS still in place that prohibits the
changing of nuclear DNA. In short terms this is not a gateway to produce
designer babies, as the mitochondrial DNA does not have any correlation
with the Nuclear DNA. If this process is legalized world-wide, there will be a
very select few that will actually be effected by this. A small number of
children each year are born with faults in their mitochondrial DNA which can
cause diseases. (Sample, 2015). In the end of all of this will you or anyone
you know really be effected? Say you were against giving someone a happy
and healthy life, you probably would not even have to live around an
individual who was saved by this vital advancement in the fight against a
vast number of hereditary diseases that plague the world and many of its
children today. So, do you want to stand at the forefront of medicine and
welcome in a new dawn that offers the shelter our children need? Will you be
one of the brave scientists that stands up for the rights of these children
being born into pain, suffering, and almost imminent death? Will you be

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among those who believe in setting these few bloodlines free from this very
real hereditary disease?
If we, as professionals in our fields, cannot respect the advancements
of today, because of the fear of the uncontrollable aspects hidden around the
corner in the days to come, then we should not venture to advance at all. To
conquer and move forward is to push at the boundaries of the impossible, be
prepared for the worst, and expect to lose in every situation. With this mind
set we will enable the readiest of learning environments. To repetitively fail
is to consistently learn. If we were to let the intimidation of those scared to
learn to walk keep us from standing up, then when will we ever learn to run?
That is a simple deduction; we will forever be here, in the present of the
situation that is left by our past. Our future will be as innovated as our pasts
present.

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Works Cited
Maron, Dina Fine (2014). Making Babies with 3 Genetic Parents Gets FDA
Hearing. Retrieved November 6, 2015 from:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/making-babies-with-3genetic-parents-gets-fda-hearing/
Knapton, Sarah (2015). Three-parent babies: the arguments for and against.
Retrieved November 7, 2015 from:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/sciencenews/11386151/Three-parent-babies-the-arguments-for-andagainst.html
Solomon, Tom (2015). Three-parent IVF can produce babies free of disease,
so lets welcome it. Retrieved November 8, 2015 from:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/04/three-parentivf-babies-free-of-mitochondrial-disease
Sample, Ian (2015). Three-parent babies explained: what are the concerns
and are they justified? Retrieved Novemeber 7, 2015 from:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/02/three-parent-babiesexplained