The Church of England has condemned as “irresponsible” a move to legislate for three-parent families in Britain.
Ahead of a parliamentary debate next week around amending the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 to allow for mitochondrial DNA transfer, widely mooted as a medical advance against certain debilitating conditions, the Church of England moved to caution that ethical and scientific questions remain unanswered on the issue.
The mitochondria would come come from a third genetic parent.
“The Archbishops’ Council, which monitors this issue, does not feel that there has been sufficient scientific study or informed consultation into the ethics, safety and efficacy of mitochondrial transfer,” said Rev. Dr. Brendan McCarthy, the Church’s national advisor on medical ethics.
The process of mitochondrial transfer involves doctors replacing defective DNA within a woman’s egg with healthy DNA from a second woman donor. The pioneering procedure is seen as a method of eradicating incidences of conditions such as muscular distrophy which arise from defective mitochondrial DNA passed via the mother’s line, while, in effect, creating a familial situation of two mothers and one father.
Scientists remain divided on the procedure, with some backing the vote and others urging caution as the Church of England has done. Opponents have cited a number of studies raising questions as to the effects of replacing an individual’s DNA, which influences so many characteristics, with entirely different DNA.
The February 3 vote has been flagged as a vote of conscience, meaning MPs are not constrained by the whip system, and some 60 parliamentarians have already voiced their oppositon to the change in law. However, it has been reported that the British government has already signalled it expects its MPs to back the legislative change. If successful, the vote will see the legislation placed before the House of Lords on February 23, with October flagged as the start date for human trials.
“Without a clearer picture of the role mitochondria play in the transfer of hereditary characteristics, the Church does not feel that it would be responsible to change the law at this time,” Rev. McCarthy said.
