Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy
Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) is a medical technique aimed at preventing certain genetic disorders. It involves replacing faulty mitochondria—small energy-producing structures in cells—from a mother’s egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor’s egg. This way, the child inherits the majority of their DNA from the parents but receives healthy mitochondria, reducing the risk of diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. MRT is used primarily for families with a history of mitochondrial diseases, offering hope for healthier pregnancies and children. The process raises ethical considerations and is subject to strict regulations in many countries.
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Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is a medical technique used to prevent genetic diseases that are passed down from mother to child through mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells. In this process, doctors replace unhealthy mitochondria from a mother's egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor's egg. This allows the resulting embryo to have a mix of genes from both parents, but with healthy mitochondrial DNA, reducing the risk of certain inherited diseases. MRT aims to help families at risk of these conditions have healthy children while maintaining their genetic heritage.