Parliament is expected to pass a Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform Bill which will enable a controversial new procedure to prevent mitochondrial disease.
Mito Foundation CEO Sean Murray said mitochondrial donation is an "IVF-based technique" that can prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from a woman to her child "by replacing these unhealthy mitochondria with healthy mitochondria from a donor".
He said mitochondria are the “powerhouse of our cells” and their job is to “convert the food we eat into energy that our cells use to sustain life”.
Mr Murray said the reception the foundation is getting is “very positive” despite the controversial nature of the procedure.
“As a new medical technique, it is something that requires a lot of consideration," Mr Murray told Sky News.
“Once people understand what this technique is for, and critically it is all about ensuring people can have healthy children … we find there is overwhelming
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As both sides went through their warm-ups before kick-off, 10-year-old Noah Barlow, accompanied by his walker and injured Western midfielder Sebastian Pasquali, was making his way around the touchline.
Encouraged by fans in the adjacent stand who had already made their way into the stadium, Noah was then cheered and applauded by the assembled Roar players as he completed his journey to the corner flag in the ground’s southwest corner.
It was a touching scene, with the smile on his face beaming through as he posed for pictures with Pasquali after the completion of his journey.
Australia announces conscience vote on mitochondrial donation
Appeared in BioNews 1082
The Australian Parliament is set to have its first vote on legislation permitting the use of mitochondrial donation.
A new bill proposes a two-stage approach, legalising the use of mitochondrial donation through an initial pilot site before permitting it in broader clinical practice. It has been confirmed by Australian prime minister Scott Morrison – who is very supportive of the bill – that coalition MPs and senators will be allowed a free vote on the legislation. There will be a free vote on this, and it s for each member to ultimately make up their mind, Morrison told News.com.au. But I do hope we can go forward here where science allows us to do this. And as you know, I m a person who has strong religious beliefs as well but it presents no difficulty for me on this issue.. And I think the compassionate thing to do here is to find a way where if we can avoid that horrific, horrifi
Ground-breaking technique to reduce risk of potentially fatal genetic diseases could soon be legal in Australia
By political reporter Stephanie Dalzell
Posted
TueTuesday 2
FebFebruary 2021 at 8:20pm
The technique allows the genetic information that makes us who we are to be passed on from mother to child, but not the mitochondrial defects.
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A ground-breaking medical technique that could reduce the risk of children developing a debilitating and potentially fatal genetic disease could soon become legal in Australia, following years of campaigning from advocates and families.
Key points:
Mitochondrial donation is an assisted reproductive technology that can help parents avoid transmitting mitochondrial DNA disease to their children
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