Finding an ethical path forward for mitochondrial replacement

It is ethically permissible to initiate clinical investigations of mitochondrial replacement techniques in humans so long as significant conditions and restrictions are in place Mitochondria are organelles found in nearly all cells in the human body and are best known for their role in regulating ce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2016-02, Vol.351 (6274), p.668-670
Main Authors: Claiborne, Anne B., English, Rebecca A., Kahn, Jeffrey P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cellular biology
Medical ethics
Mitochondrial DNA
Mutation
PERSPECTIVES
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Summary:It is ethically permissible to initiate clinical investigations of mitochondrial replacement techniques in humans so long as significant conditions and restrictions are in place Mitochondria are organelles found in nearly all cells in the human body and are best known for their role in regulating cellular energy balance (sometimes described as the “energy factory” of the cell). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the only source of DNA in human cells found outside of the nucleus. The mitochondrial genome contains 37 genes (as compared with the 20,000 to 30,000 found in the nuclear genome), but pathogenic mutations in mtDNA can lead to rare, serious diseases that tend to affect organs with the highest energy demand and can be severely debilitating, progressive, and sometimes fatal in childhood ( 1 , 2 ). mtDNA diseases involve extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, creating a challenge for estimates of prevalence. Estimates range from 1 in 200 ( 3 ) to 1 in 5000 ( 4 ) people harboring a pathogenic mtDNA mutation that may result in disease.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aaf3091