The UK government has given the green light to a controversial IVF technique using DNA from three people, which could eliminate certain inherited diseases passed from mother to child. The move comes as the world's leading fertility experts gather in London to discuss the latest advances in reproductive medicine.
Among the potential future developments discussed is the use of new genome sequencing technology to count chromosomes in embryos, which proponents say could make pre-implantation genetic screening more cost-effective. Currently, chromosome screening is used in only 1% of IVF cycles in the UK, compared with 15% in the US.
However, critics argue that three-person IVF is highly experimental and a distortion of the natural process. One concern raised is the destruction of embryos, with some questioning how many embryos are sacrificed to save around ten lives per year. International concerns have also been voiced about the UK's stance, with some labelling the technique genetic modification of a human being.
Despite these debates, many experts highlight the successes of IVF while acknowledging its limitations. Two-thirds of IVF cycles still do not result in a baby, and even with a 'perfect embryo', success rates peak at around 75%. Researchers are working to identify other factors influencing implantation.
Ethical dilemmas persist, with some predicting a slippery slope towards sex selection and the creation of 'perfect children'. Others maintain that embryo screening simply tests for viability, not traits, and that IVF provides a crucial opportunity for couples who would otherwise be unable to conceive.
