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Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT)

Context: 

A baby was born using three persons’ DNA in the UK caused the stir that news of this kind was expected to evoke. 

Probable Question:

What is mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT)? Explain the scientific process behind it and its significance in preventing mitochondrial diseases.

15 may

Image Source: Daily Mail

More on News:

  • The baby has three parents, deriving the mitochondria from a donor apart from genetic material (DNA) from biological parents
  • Significance: 
    • Prevent the child from inheriting the mother’s mitochondrial disease.

Mitochondrial Disease:

  • Mitochondria are basically the powerhouses of the cells, they generate the energy, and thus are also responsible for cell function in the human body.
  • Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in the way mitochondria produce energy for the body’s cells, particularly in energy-hungry tissues like the brain, nerves, muscles, kidneys, heart, and liver. 
  • These mutations can impact cell function, leading to a range of symptoms and health issues.

Three-Person DNA:

  • The mother had a mitochondrial disease she did not want to pass on to her baby.
  • The baby carries most of its DNA from its parents and a minor percentage from a donor.
  • Mitochondrial DNA from the donor was used while fertilizing the egg to prevent passing on the mitochondrial disease.

Scientific Process for Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT):

  • Mitochondrial diseases are only passed on by the mother.
  • Technique used: In vitro fertilization (IVF) technique developed by Newcastle Fertility Clinic.
  • Biological father’s sperm used to fertilize eggs from biological mother and a third female donor with clear mitochondria, separately.
  • Then, Nuclear genetic material from donor’s egg removed and replaced with genetic material from biological parents.
  • Resulting egg has genetic material from parents and mitochondria from female donor.
  • Egg implanted in uterus and carried to full term to yield a baby free from mother’s mitochondrial disease.
  • This process is called Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT).

News Source: The Hindu

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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