Further information
Explore further materials to get an understanding of the wider context surrounding mitochondria replacement.
What is mitochondrial disease?
Around one in 200 children are born each year with a form of mitochondrial disease. Some children have mild or no symptoms but others can be severely affected and have a shortened life expectancy.
What are the issues?
Mitochondria replacement raises a number of complex social and ethical issues. What are they and how important are they to you?
About the consultation
This consultation is closed and Authority has agreed its advice to Government
UK researchers are working on new medical techniques that could allow women to avoid passing on genetically inherited mitochondrial diseases, to their children.
These techniques, which are IVF-based, offer options for affected families. However they are also at the cutting edge, both of science and of ethics.
In 2012 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) carried out a public consultation on the social and ethical impact of making these techniques available to patients. The public's view was considered by the HFEA on 20 March 2013 and the advice that is to be passed to Government has been agreed.
Find out more about the findings