First published in News Last updated by Robert Merrick, Parliamentary Correspondent<\/p>\n
PROTESTS by a group of MPs have failed to derail plans for a controversial gene therapy, to stop incurable diseases passing to the next generations. <\/p>\n
Ministers vowed to plough ahead with preparations for the DNA-altering procedure, which is being pioneered by a team at Newcastle University. <\/p>\n
However, the department of health declined to say when the issue would be put to a vote in Parliament, despite suggestions that it could be before the end of the year. <\/p>\n
The treatment involves replacing faulty mitochondria responsible for inherited diseases, including muscle wasting, heart problems, vision loss, organ failure and epilepsy. <\/p>\n
Embryos are given healthy DNA from donor eggs, meaning a baby has the DNA of three people from two parents, plus less than one per cent from the donor. <\/p>\n
Professor Doug Turnbull, who leads the Newcastle team, has urged the Government to draw up legislation as soon as possible, because of the number of patients waiting for treatment. <\/p>\n
But, in the Commons, MPs brought forward a motion demanding further research and for new regulations to be delayed in light of public safety concerns. <\/p>\n
Fiona Bruce, a Conservative backbencher, claimed the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) wanted further research, saying: This is a case of genetic engineering. <\/p>\n
It is the alteration of a potential human being - the removal of certain genes and their replacement with others, to create children. <\/p>\n
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MPs' protests fail to derail "three parent family" plans<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" First published in News Last updated by Robert Merrick, Parliamentary Correspondent PROTESTS by a group of MPs have failed to derail plans for a controversial gene therapy, to stop incurable diseases passing to the next generations. Continue reading