World’s first baby with DNA from three parents born

The baby was born from a new procedure that combines the DNA of three people, in a bid to fight mother’s genetic condition

Dr John Zhang with the world’s first baby born using DNA from three people. Photo: New Hope Fertility Centre
Dr John Zhang with the world’s first baby born using DNA from three people. Photo: New Hope Fertility Centre

New Scientist has revealed that the world’s first baby using a new “three person” fertility technique was born five months ago.

The baby has the DNA from his mum and dad, plus a tiny bit of genetic code from a donor.

The procedure by US specialists, carried out in Mexico, was carried out to ensure the baby boy would be free of a genetic condition that his mother carries in her genes.

Doctors led by Dr John Zhang at the New Hope Fertility Center in New York decided to attempt the controversial technique in the hope that it would give the couple a healthy child.

The procedure was carried out in Mexco because “there are no rules”.

“To save lives is the ethical thing to do,” Zhang told New Scientist.

While the move heralds a new era in medicine and could help other families with rare genetic conditions, experts warn that rigorous checks of this new and controversial technology, called mitochondrial donation, are needed.