UK set to become first country to allow three-parent IVF ======================================================== ![UK set to become first country to allow three-parent IVF](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/78558e1a992433c88e8482a33ac68df9.jpeg)The UK looks to become the first country to permit the creation of IVF babies using the DNA of three parents. The British government announced on 28thJune 2013 that it would be unveiling [draft legislation](https://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/06June/Pages/UK-Government-backs-three-parent-IVF.aspx) on the matter in the autumn, with the process potentially being available to the public within two years. The controversial technique allows for DNA from a third person to be spliced with that of the two other biological parents to prevent birth defects. The process is to be tightly regulated, and experts predict only around 10 couples a year will meet the criteria to benefit from the development. Defects in mitochondrial DNA can lead to birth defects including blindness and heart failure. The DNA in question ordinarily comes from the mother, so the only way to prevent any ill effects is to replace it with donor DNA from a third parent. Less than 0.2 percent of the baby's genetic material would come from the third parent. Though welcomed by many scientists, the decision to allow DNA mixing in this way is not without its controversies. Some suggest that this will be the first step towards genetic engineering of 'designer babies', with parents using donor DNA to import favourable characteristics, from eye colour to gender, into their children. At this stage it is likely that the process will be limited to only the most extreme of medical circumstances, with each case having to be approved by the Human Embryology and Fertility Organisation. This announcement once again makes clear the way in which modern technological developments shape family law. Since its development in the late 1970s in vitro fertilisation has allowed countless couples to conceive. In particular, it has increased the ability for women to bear children later in life, and has facilitated the use of donor eggs and sperm. It has also proved controversial with many wondering about the ethical implications of such techniques and the rights that accrue to donors. It is clear that any legislation on three parent children will need to be carefully drafted to take into consideration such issues. Update 07/11/2016: The first three-parent baby was born September 2016. Click [here](https://vardags.com/family-law/worlds-first-three-parent-child-born) to read more "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Family Law news -------------------- [Ayesha Vardag appears on ITV's This Morning](https://vardags.com/posts/ayesha-vardag-appears-on-itvs-this-morning "Ayesha Vardag appears on ITVs This Morning") [Ayesha Vardag lights up TV's 'Legal Eagles' on This Morning](https://vardags.com/posts/ayesha-vardag-lights-tvs-legal-eagles-this-morning "Ayesha Vardag lights up TVs Legal Eagles on This Morning") [UK set to become first country to allow three-parent IVF](https://vardags.com/family-law/uk-first-country-three-parent-ivf "UK set to become first country to allow three-parent IVF") [US Supreme Court recognises gay marriage in historic verdicts](https://vardags.com/family-law/us-recognises-gay-marriage-historic-verdicts "US Supreme Court recognises gay marriage in historic verdicts") [Campaign group alleges widespread avoidance of child maintenance payments](https://vardags.com/family-law/widespread-avoidance-child-maintenance-payments "Campaign group alleges widespread avoidance of child maintenance payments")