Mythbusting Mitochondrial Donation

In 2023, the Guardian newspaper discovered – via a freedom of information request – that at least one child with donated mitochondria had been born in the UK, following the use of reproductive technology that seeks to avoid the transmission of mitochondrial disease from mother to child.

This prompted widespread media coverage and discussion. However, because both the science and the regulation of mitochondrial donation can be complex, there was some confusion over aspects of the subject.

PET has created a resource which seeks to clear up common points of confusion. The resource takes certain claims about mitochondrial donation, says whether these claims are true or false, and explains why. The document can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions or comments about this resource, or if you would like to see a question addressed that is not covered in the current version of the document, please contact us.