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Mitochondrial Disease Research Paper

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Mitochondrial disease is a disease that is passed from mother to child. The altered functions of the proteins results in this debilitating disease. This disease is diagnosed in 152 babies in the UK per year and 778 babies in the US per year (Spark). Mitochondria are supposed to convert food and oxygen into life sustaining energy. When those mitochondria aren’t working properly, functions of the body which need a lot of energy are affected greatly. Symptoms of this disease may include loss of motor control, muscular dystrophy, seizures, liver disease, cardiac disease and many more (Foundation). These symptoms can take many years to show up in a child’s life. Some don’t know they have the disease until they are 10 years old whereas others may …show more content…
"This would be the first case of intentionally manipulating a child's genome. And we are crossing that line for the sake of what exactly? For a very small number of families who already have options that allow them to raise children." David King, director of Human Genetic Alert said (Duhalme-Ross). Critics, such as the group Human Genetics and Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales believe that the decision to legalize mitochondrial donations is being taken too hastily. The procedure has only been tested on animals and there is no way of knowing for sure that the procedure is safe for humans. Unexpected and unforeseen problems may occur in the baby because of the altered DNA. It is taking things too far and is crossing an ethical boundary (Press). Three genetic parent genetic babies could also be at a higher risk for cancer and premature aging. The babies and their descendants would have to be monitored for all of their lives. We don’t yet know what risks we would create for future …show more content…
Scientists at Great Ormond Street and University College London say that more time should be spent looking for genetic faults in the nucleus. A scientist named Jacob Reses Mogg said that he believes that the procedure “doesn’t cure the disease it creates a different person”. Dr. Ted Morrow said that using donor DNA would be unwise and would even could cause an even larger effect on lives than previously seen. He continued to say that swapping out the mitochondrial DNA form on person and replacing it with another will undoubtedly influence many characteristics of individuals (Knapton). The Church of England has spoken out saying that they see the change in law as irresponsible (Unknown). David King from the campaign group profoundly said, “Once you cross the ethical line, it’s very hard not to take the next step of designer babies.” The technique will not cure anything and technically it is a form of gene therapy. As Fiona Bruce said, “There will be no going back for society”

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