UK Welcomes , 1st Babies Born , Using DNA From 3 People.<br />Associated Press (AP) reports that Britain's <br />fertility regulator confirmed the births on May 10.<br />The experimental technique is reportedly <br />an effort to prevent the passing of inherited <br />genetic diseases to children. .<br />According to the Human Fertilization and <br />Embryology Authority, fewer than five babies in <br />the U.K. have been born using this technique.<br />In 2015, the U.K. adopted legislation to regulate <br />efforts to prevent women from passing on <br />faulty mitochondria to their children. .<br />In 2016, the U.S. welcomed <br />the first baby born using <br />the experimental technique. .<br />AP reports that faulty mitochondria have been <br />linked to muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, <br />heart defects and intellectual disabilities. .<br />Approximately one in every<br />200 children born in the U.K. <br />has a mitochondrial disorder.<br />The process involves taking genetic material <br />from a woman with faulty mitochondria and <br />then transferring it to a donor egg or embryo.<br />The donated egg or embryo still <br />has healthy mitochondria, but all <br />other key DNA has been removed.<br />Mitochondrial donation treatment offers <br />families with severe inherited mitochondrial <br />illness the possibility of a healthy child. , Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, via Associated Press
