What once seemed like science fiction is now a reality: eight babies born without hereditary diseases thanks to the combined power of DNA from three people.

In a breakthrough that seems straight out of a science fiction novel, the UK has witnessed an unprecedented medical milestone: the birth of eight babies free of incurable genetic diseases thanks to a revolutionary technique that combines the DNA of three people. How is this possible? The procedure, called mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) , involves taking healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor to replace the mother's defective DNA, thus preventing the transmission of serious disorders.

Mitochondrial diseases, though rare, are devastating: they can cause severe muscular, neurological, and metabolic problems from the first days of life. This new technique virtually eliminates the risk of inheriting these conditions, representing an unparalleled advance in reproductive medicine.

Authorization to use this technique was granted in 2015 by the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) . Since then, scientists have refined the process, ensuring that nuclear DNA (which determines a person's physical and genetic characteristics) comes from the biological parents, while a minimal portion of mitochondrial DNA comes from a third party, a female donor.

Although follow-up studies are still underway to assess the long-term health of these children, the initial results are very promising. This discovery not only transforms the landscape for couples with a history of inherited diseases, but also raises new ethical, social, and scientific questions about the future of human reproduction.

👶 Today, thanks to science, some children are born healthier, with more hope… and three genetic parents.