PET PET
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
Become a Friend Donate
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements
PETBioNewsNews'Saviour sibling' born to Fletcher family

BioNews

'Saviour sibling' born to Fletcher family

Published 9 June 2009 posted in News and appears in BioNews 317

Author

BioNews

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.

A Belfast woman has given birth to the first 'saviour sibling' conceived in the UK: a baby girl who could help treat her seriously ill three-year-old brother. In September 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted Joe and Julie Fletcher permission to have a tissue-matched baby to help...

A Belfast woman has given birth to the first 'saviour sibling' conceived in the UK: a baby girl who could help treat her seriously ill three-year-old brother. In September 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted Joe and Julie Fletcher permission to have a tissue-matched baby to help treat Joshua, who has an incurable blood disorder. Following successful treatment at the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre in London, Mrs Fletcher gave birth to daughter Jodie on 14 July.


Joshua Fletcher has Diamond Blackfan anaemia (DBA), a rare blood condition that could be cured with a blood stem cell transplant from a tissue-matched donor. Having failed to find a suitable existing donor, his parents applied to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to conceive an IVF (in vitro fertilisation) baby who would be able to provide Joshua with compatible umbilical cord blood cells. If transplanted to Joshua, these cells could enable his body to produce its own healthy red blood cells. Doctors collected cord blood cells immediately after the birth of Jodie Fletcher, who should be a perfect genetic match for her brother.


The transplant will not happen for at least another six months, however, since doctors must first wait and see if Jodie is also affected by DBA. Some cases of DBA are caused by a mutation in a gene called RPS19, but for most the trigger remains unknown. For this reason it was not possible for the Fletchers to use PGD to select an embryo that would definitely be free from the condition. However, the couple are optimistic that the stem cell treatment will take place next year. 'My instinct tells me that the transplant will go ahead', said Mr Fletcher, adding 'the thought of having a Joshua who doesn't have DBA fills me with joy. It's like someone telling you that in 12 months you are going to win the lottery'. But for the time being, the family are simply enjoying their new baby. Mrs Fletcher said that Jodie was 'just as important for herself', adding 'she is another baby in our family, one we wanted anyway'.


The HFEA's decision to allow the Fletchers to conceive a tissue-matched baby followed the authority's recent policy change in this area, allowing couples to use PGD for testing IVF embryos solely to check their suitability as a potential cord blood donor for an existing sick child. Although Jodie Fletcher is the first potential saviour sibling conceived in the UK, another British baby has already helped his older brother in this way. In 2002, the HFEA turned down a request from the Whitaker family, who were also seeking to use PGD to conceive a tissue-matched baby to help a sibling with DBA. Michelle and Jayson Whitaker later travelled to Chicago to conceive their son James, born in June 2003, whose umbilical cord blood has now been successfully used to help treat their son Charlie.

Related Articles

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
Comment
18 June 2009 • 3 minutes read

Future looking brighter for 'saviour siblings'

by Dr Kirsty Horsey

Today we report that the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has decided to allow Joe and Julie Fletcher to conceive a so-called 'saviour sibling' for their sick son, Joshua. Those that have followed this debate over the past few years will know that the Fletchers are not the...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

Permission for another UK 'saviour sibling' granted

by Dr Jess Buxton

Another UK couple has received permission to try and conceive a 'saviour sibling' to provide cord blood stem cells to help treat their seriously ill child. Charlie and Catherine Mariethoz, from Leicester, have been granted a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

'Saviour sibling' perfect genetic match for brother

by BioNews

Three-week old Jodie Fletcher, the first 'saviour sibling' conceived in the UK, is a perfect genetic match for her three-year old brother, Joshua, who suffers from Diamond Blackfan anaemia (DBA), an incurable blood disorder. In September 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted Joe and Julie Fletcher permission...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

Fletchers conceive 'saviour sibling'

by BioNews

A UK woman is reported to be pregnant following an attempt to conceive a 'saviour sibling' to treat her seriously ill two-year old son. In September 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted Joe and Julie Fletcher permission to have a tissue-matched baby to help treat Joshua, who...

PET BioNews
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

Fletchers given 'saviour sibling' go-ahead

by BioNews

The licensing committee of the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) met today to rule whether a couple can create a 'saviour sibling' to treat their seriously ill two-year-old son. It has decided that Joe and Julie Fletcher, from Northern Ireland, will be allowed to try to conceive an...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

HFEA to change its mind on 'saviour siblings'?

by BioNews

The UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is reported to be considering changing its policy on 'saviour siblings' - babies who are able to provide genetically matched cord blood for an existing sick child. The news follows a recent request from the Fletcher family, who are seeking permission to conceive...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 1 minute read

HFEA allow PGD for HLA tissue typing

by BioNews

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has decided that no distinction should be between the cases of the Hashmi family and the Whitaker family: that preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the sole purpose of tissue typing should be allowed. The news gives hope to many families who may now...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 June 2009 • 2 minutes read

Another legal fight over UK saviour sibling?

by BioNews

A UK fertility doctor says he is prepared to launch a legal challenge on behalf of a couple who want to conceive a 'saviour sibling' for their ill son. Two-year old Joshua Fletcher has Diamond Blackfan anaemia, a rare condition that could be cured with a blood stem cell transplant...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

« Spain and France move towards therapeutic cloning

Data-Label The UK's Leading Supplier Of Medical Labels & Asset Labels

RetiringDentist.co.uk The UK's Leading M&A Company.

Find out how you can advertise here
easyfundraising
amazon

This month in BioNews

  • Popular
  • Recent
8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Placenta and organ formation observed in mouse embryo models

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Lower hormone doses may improve IVF egg quality

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Boosting muscle cell production of gene therapy proteins

1 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

First UK medical guidelines issued for trans fertility preservation

1 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Male age has more impact on IVF birth rate than previously thought

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Placenta and organ formation observed in mouse embryo models

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Complex structures of the human heart bioengineered

8 August 2022 • 1 minute read

Brain tumour gene also linked to childhood cancers

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Lower hormone doses may improve IVF egg quality

8 August 2022 • 2 minutes read

Boosting muscle cell production of gene therapy proteins

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
PET PET

PET is an independent charity that improves choices for people affected by infertility and genetic conditions.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • BioNews
  • Events
  • Engagement
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us

BioNews

  • News
  • Comment
  • Reviews
  • Elsewhere
  • Topics
  • Glossary
  • Newsletters

Other

  • My Account
  • Subscribe

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856