title: A leap of faith? An interview study with professionals on the use of mitochondrial replacement to avoid transfer of mitochondrial diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  What are the opinions of professionals in the field of genetics, reproductive science and metabolic diseases on the development of mitochondrial replacement technologies to be used in the context of medically assisted reproduction?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although concerns regarding safety remain, interviewees supported the development of nuclear transfer techniques to help women who are at risk of transferring a mitochondrial DNA disease to their offspring conceive a genetically related child.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Technological developments in the field of nuclear transfer have sparked new interest in the debate on the acceptability of the use of donor oocytes to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases. For example, in the UK, extensive public consultations have been done to investigate whether such techniques would allow the passing of a law that involves making changes to a human oocyte or embryo before transfer to a woman's body. Until now, continental European countries seem to await the outcome of the British debate before themselves considering the arguments for and against this technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 12 professionals from Belgium and The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 12 interviews with fertility specialists, scientists, clinical geneticists, a pediatrician specialized in metabolic diseases and a specialist in metabolic diseases. The profiles of the interviewees varied but all had experience with mitochondrial diseases, either in treating patients or in providing counseling to patients or to prospective parents. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and took 30-45 min. The language of the interviews was Dutch. We analyzed the transcript of these interviews using QSR NVIVO 10 software to extract themes and categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study has shown that, although amongst the professionals we interviewed there was support for the development and deployment of nuclear transfer, this support does not necessarily correspond to uniform opinions about the importance of having a genetically own child or the contribution of mitochondrial DNA to essential characteristics of an individual.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In translating the quotes from Dutch to English some of the linguistic nuances may have been lost. We only interviewed 12 individuals, in two countries, whose view may not be representative of existing values and opinions that may be held by professionals worldwide on this matter. To further explore the issue at hand, a subsequent investigation of the opinions of people affected by mitochondrial diseases and of the general public is necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this study we have demonstrated there is in principle support for the nuclear transfer technique from Dutch and Belgian professionals. Further research, both scientific and ethical, is needed to define the modalities of its possible introduction in the fertility clinic.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This research was funded by GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, The Netherlands. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  N/A.
authors: Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium kristien.hens@kuleuven.be.
authors: Kristien
authors: K
authors: Hens
authors: Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences & GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Wybo
authors: W
authors: Dondorp
authors: Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences & GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: de Wert
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001530:Belgium; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques; D009865:Oocytes; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: ethics; interview; mitochondrial DNA; mitochondrial disease; nuclear transfer