Genetic editing can delete deleterious mitochondria

New approach avoids “three-parent” approach to treating DNA disorder

Mitochondria

HEAVE HO  Mitochondria (blue), energy-producing structures in cells, may get mutations that lead to diseases in people. Researchers have described a new genetic engineering technique that will eliminate mutant mitochondria from eggs and early embryos to prevent mitochondrial diseases from passing from mother to child.

Martin M. Rotker/Science Source 

A new genetic engineering technique could help prevent mitochondrial diseases without the ethically sticky “three-parent problem” of another recently developed method.