Mitochondrial DNA disorders are incurable genetic disorders that can cause severely debilitating symptoms and can be fatal in early childhood. New techniques that could prevent the transmission of these disorders are being researched, but are not yet used in treatment.

This report explores the ethical issues relevant to the possible use of such treatments in future.

You can read about the report at: http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/mitochondrial-dna-disorders

HSS member Terry Martin undertook the work for HSS and we are delighted to see that that we were in accord with the central recommendations posted in their brief summary on line.