Genetic fix: scientists hope that mothers at risk of giving their children hereditary illnesses could have healthy children as a result of the controversial technique. Photo: AP

London: Allowing the creation of babies with DNA from three biological parents in Britain is "incompatible with human dignity" and tantamount to eugenics, members of the Council of Europe have claimed.

A group of 34 European politicians, including eight British MPs and peers, has signed a declaration attacking plans which will make Britain the first country in the world to permit the new IVF technique.

Under legislation being drawn up by ministers, the treatment will be offered to a handful of parents at high risk of having children with conditions such as muscular dystrophy, as early as next year.

The therapy can dramatically reduce the risk of children inheriting disorders of the heart, brain and muscle which are caused by faults in the mothers mitochondria, structures which supply power to cells.

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But it has proved controversial because it involves substituting a small fraction of the mothers damaged DNA with that of a healthy female donor.

Because the swap takes place at the germ line, the third partys DNA would not only be passed on to the child, but also to any future generations down the female line.

The therapy was recommended to government by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) earlier this year after a public consultation revealed general support.

Doctors developing the treatment have emphasised that the DNA in question lies outside the nucleus of the cell and will have no bearing on the childs personality or appearance.

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Petition objects to British IVF plans for three-parent babies