UK Government allows 3
parent IVF
On 3rd February 2015 the UK
Government voted to permit
mitochondrial donation, a
procedure that will allow
women with genetic faults in
their mitochondria to have
children without fear of
passing on faulty
mitochondrial DNA.
There are two possible
procedures (Embryo repair
and Egg repair), and both
procedures involve a “third
parent” donating healthy
mitochondria.
Mitochondria have their own DNA. This means that resulting baby will inherit
their nuclear DNA from their parents and their mitochondrial DNA from the
“third parent” donor. This change to the mitochondrial DNA is permanent, so it
also prevents the descendants from inheriting the faulty mitochondria.
This topic provides plenty of opportunities for engaging conversations and
activities with pupils. For example;
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What is the function of mitochondria? What could happen if these
mitochondria are faulty?
Professor Robert Winston is quoted as comparing mitochondrial donation
with blood transfusions. In what way are the processes similar? How are
they different?
Modelling mitochondrial donation: ask pupils to build model embros or
eggs. Modelling clay (Playdoh, for example) works well. Can they use their
models to re-enact the mitochondrial donation process? Pupils could even
produce a stop-motion animation of the process.
Stimulate debate on the topic with the BBCs Interactive Video. How would
they have voted?
Looking for other ways of bringing engaging topics like Genetics and Inherited
Diseases into the classroom? Sign up for a ‘Bringing Cutting Edge Science into the
Classroom’ course such as Lifestyle and Health or Genetics here:
http://bit.ly/1z9tt8z