The Naked Scientists Podcast 'Three-parent babies' prevent inherited genetic condition
Aug 12, 2025
Doug Turnbull, a renowned clinical neurologist and expert in mitochondrial disease, discusses groundbreaking advancements in preventing inherited genetic conditions through 'three-parent' embryos. He explains the science behind mitochondrial DNA mutations and their health impacts. The conversation dives into innovative techniques like mitochondrial donation IVF and pronuclear transfer, emphasizing their potential to change lives. Turnbull also touches on recent clinical trials and the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of these revolutionary medical practices.
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Personal Loss From Mitochondrial Disease
- Liz Curtis recounts losing her daughter Lilly to mitochondrial disease at eight months old after seizures and intensive care.
- She explains Lilly was diagnosed at seven weeks and told there was no cure or treatment.
Mitochondria Have Their Own Essential Genome
- Sir Doug Turnbull explains mitochondria carry a small separate DNA set essential for energy production.
- He notes mitochondrial DNA is tiny (≈30,500 bases) and encodes 37 genes crucial for mitochondrial function.
Heteroplasmy Drives Disease Severity
- Mitochondrial DNA exists in thousands of copies per cell and can be a mix of normal and mutated forms (heteroplasmy).
- Disease risk rises with the proportion of mutated mitochondrial DNA, explaining varied clinical outcomes.