Social and ethical issues in mitochondrial donation.
BACKGROUND
The UK is at the forefront of mitochondrial science and is currently the only country in the world to legalize germ-line technologies involving mitochondrial donation. However, concerns have been raised about genetic modification and the 'slippery slope' to designer babies.


METHODS
This review uses academic articles, newspaper reports and public documents.


RESULTS
Mitochondrial donation offers women with mitochondrial disease an opportunity to have healthy, genetically related children.


RESULTS
Key areas of disagreement include safety, the creation of three-parent babies, impact on identity, implications for society, definitions of genetic modification and reproductive choice.


CONCLUSIONS
The UK government legalized the techniques in March 2015. Scientific and medical communities across the world followed the developments with interest.


CONCLUSIONS
It is expected that the first cohort of 'three parent' babies will be born in the UK in 2016. Their health and progress will be closely monitored.
Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK dimondr1@cardiff.ac.uk.
Rebecca
R
Dimond
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000637:transplantation; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D000069321:Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D012945:Social Values
ethical issues; mitochondrial donation; reproduction