lab threesome

real_aurgathor

Some UK researchers created a few tube babies whose genetic material came from three (!!) people in the following form:

the mother’s egg
the father’s sperm
mitochondria from a 3rd person

LONDON – Eight healthy babies were born in Britain with the help of an experimental technique that uses DNA from three people to help mothers avoid passing devastating rare diseases to their children, researchers reported Wednesday.

Most DNA is found in the nucleus of our cells, and it’s that genetic material — some inherited from mom, some from dad — that makes us who we are. But there’s also some DNA outside of the cell’s nucleus, in structures called mitochondria. Dangerous mutations there can cause a range of diseases in children that can lead to muscle weakness, seizures, developmental delays, major organ failure and death.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/healthy-babies-born-dna-three-people-prevent-inherited-diseases-rcna219264

Apparently,. the mitochondria makes up less than 1% of the genetic material, and legal eligibility seems to be restricted:

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK’s fertility regulator, welcomed the findings, adding that the technique would legally only be available to those at very high risk of passing the disease onto their children.

As of this month, 35 patients have been authorized to undergo the procedure.

And it’s illegal in the USA.

telcodad

Something similar with mice also this year:

Mice born with two fathers - but don’t expect the same for people
For the first time that we know of, mice with two fathers have survived to adulthood, but the methods used would be “unthinkable” to try in people
By Michael Le Page, New Scientist - January 28, 2025
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2465837-mice-born-with-two-fathers-but-dont-expect-the-same-for-people/

Mice with two fathers have their own offspring for the first time
We’re a step closer to two men being able to have genetic children of their own after the creation of fertile mice by putting two sperm cells in an empty egg
By Michael Le Page, New Scientist - June 23, 2025
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2485396-mice-with-two-fathers-have-their-own-offspring-for-the-first-time/

Somewhat-Reticent

Some critics have extremely convenient ( pick-&-choose ) scruples.
It’s easily “unthinkable” to hypocrites not personally faced with such issues.

real_aurgathor

telcodad

While I can see some human applicability of having kids with same sex parents, I think it will take some more time for this to become legal for humans.

There is also the issue of a disappearing Y chromosome, so it’s not impossible that “males” with Y chromosome may eventually become extinct at some TBD time in the future.. There are already a few vertebrates such as the amazon molly, whiptail lizard, or the mourning gecko without males.

Sparkchaser

real_aurgathor
“Most DNA is found in the nucleus of our cells, and it’s that genetic material — some inherited from mom, some from dad — that makes us who we are. But there’s also some DNA outside of the cell’s nucleus, in structures called mitochondria. Dangerous mutations there can cause a range of diseases in children that can lead to muscle weakness, seizures, developmental delays, major organ failure and death.”
I’m sure they have tried this on spcies with a much shorter life span.

My concern would be that these “mutations that can cause a range of diseases” don’t occur until the offspring is older.

real_aurgathor

Sparkchaser My concern would be that these “mutations that can cause a range of diseases” don’t occur until the offspring is older.

Their onset varies depending on the syndrome – some can manifest itself relatively early (i.e. MELAS usually from 2 - 10 years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MELAS_syndrome ), some later, but obviously, the would be mother already knows it and don’t want to pass it on to her offspring.