title: Mitochondrial replacement techniques: egg donation, genealogy and eugenics.
abstract: Several objections against the morality of researching or employing mitochondrial replacement techniques have been advanced recently. In this paper, I examine three of these objections and show that they are found wanting. First I examine whether mitochondrial replacement techniques, research and clinical practice, should not be carried out because of possible harms to egg donors. Next I assess whether mitochondrial replacement techniques should be banned because they could affect the study of genealogical ancestry. Finally, I examine the claim that mitochondrial replacement techniques are not transferring mitochondrial DNA but nuclear DNA, and that this should be prohibited on ethical grounds.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, UK. Cesar.pg@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palacios-González
mesh_terms: D005053:Eugenics; D005260:Female; D005789:Genealogy and Heraldry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069321:Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D014019:Tissue Donors
keywords: Maternal spindle transfer; Mitochondrial donation; Mitochondrial replacement techniques; Pronuclear transfer; Three parent IVF; Three parent babies; Tri-parenthood