Experts are to investigate a new technique to create “three-parent babies” which could be safer and more effective than current methods being tested in British laboratories.
The Government last month asked the fertility regulator to examine new research from China, which used a less invasive form of the controversial IVF technique and could reduce the risk of birth defects.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has now published a report on the research, which it describes as “promising” and says “may offer potential advantages” over existing techniques.
These include increasing the chances that a baby would be born free of inherited diseases.
A panel has called for further studies “to assess the extent to which these potential advantages are real”.
The timing of such a report is crucial as the Government prepares to push ahead with legislation which would make the UK the first country in the world to create babies with genes from three biological parents – despite strong opposition over ethical and safety concerns.
The plans are backed by many UK scientists and by families who have suffered from inherited disorders.
But a growing number of critics say the process “crosses an ethical line” by manipulating DNA in ways that will be passed down generations.
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