This document discusses the upcoming debate in the US on the use of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) to create three-parent embryos. It notes that the UK has approved MRT to prevent mitochondrial diseases, with the first baby expected in 2016. In the US, the FDA is assessing MRT and the Institute of Medicine will make recommendations. The document argues against MRT, saying the risks outweigh benefits and it undermines human dignity. It provides a four-step plan: 1) understand MRT science, 2) recognize moral arguments against it, 3) identify advocates' misleading claims, and 4) submit a statement to the Institute of Medicine expressing opposition to MRT and three-parent embryos.

1. Three-Parent Embryos:
Gearing up for the U.S. Debate
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2. INTRODUCTION
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3. On February 24th, 2015 the House of Lords
approved a law permitting the IVF
production of three-parent embryos to
prevent the maternal transmission of
mitochondrial disease. In October, the UK’s
Human Fertilization and Embryo Authority
will license British clinics to use
mitochondrial replacement for human
trials. The arrival of Britain’s first three-
parent baby is expected by 2016.

4. Meanwhile, across the pond, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has already assessed risks and benefits of
mitochondrial replacement (MR), made recommendations
regarding its use in human clinical trials as a treatment for age-
related infertility, and commissioned the Institute of Medicine to
present a final consensus report on all associated ethical and
social policy issues. The Consensus Study Committee held its first
meeting in January, 2015. It will convene again in March and
May with the inclusion of public comment sessions, and will
draft and finalize the consensus report during its last two closed
door meetings. If MR is approved by the FDA, American clinicians
could submit an application and, if deemed eligible, could
inaugurate the production of three-parent embryos in human
clinical trials in the not-so-distant future.

5. Here, I argue two things. First, the
enormous moral and social harm of MR
and its production of three-parent embryos
outweighs the good of preventing a subset
of mito-diseases. Second, anyone interested
in protecting human life, human dignity,
human procreation, and the human
genome should subscribe to the following
three-step plan so that the voice of reason
can be heard during the upcoming U.S.
debate
on three-parent embryos.

6. I
STEP ONE:
Understand the science of MR
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11. Maternal Spindle Transfer

12. I
STEP TWO:
Recognize the Moral Case Against MR
STEP TWO:
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13. The PNT technique of MR
involves the intentional
destruction of the life of a
human embryo.

14. Both MR techniques distort the
meaning of parenthood and
human procreation, deny the
IVF child its basic right to life
and to be loved unconditionally,
and contradict the child’s
fundamental equality with his
parents.

15. MR endangers
the human
genome.

16. MR abuses the
women who donate
their eggs.

17. I
STEP THREE:
Identify and deflect
misrepresentations of MR advocates.
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18. MR will eliminate
mito-diseases in
future children.

19. MR will be in great
demand because one in
200 babies is born with
mitochondrial diseases.

20. MR will save
lives.

21. MR has been
adequately studied
in animals and,
therefore, is safe.

22. A majority of
the public
supports MR.

23. Except through MR
techniques, the woman
with mutated mtDNA has
no other option for family
building.

24. MR will not lead to more
controversial practices;
the slippery slope
argument is exaggerated.

25. The genetic
contribution of the
mito-donor is
inconsequential.

26. Mito-donation is no more
dangerous or
controversial than organ
donation.

27. I
STEP FOUR:
Let the voice of reason be
heard!
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28. Armed with: (1) an adequate
knowledge of the science of MR, (2) the
ability to identify and correct
misrepresentations from MR advocacy
groups, and (3) a comprehensive grasp
of the moral case against MR, compose
a succinct, cogent statement explaining
your opposition to MR and its
production of three-parent embryos
and present it to the Institute of
Medicine.

29. The IOM Consensus Committee will hold meetings
open for public comment on March 31st (8:30 AM
– 5 PM) through April 1st (8:30 AM until noon)
and on May – (8:30 AM – 5 PM) through May –
(8:30 AM until noon). If you live in the DC area
and wish to present your position statement orally,
simply show up at the Institute of Medicine on
those dates (500 Fifth St. NW). If at a distance,
submit your comments either by email
(MitoEthics@nas.edu) or by US mail (Attn:
Michael Berrios; Institute of Medicine; 500 Fifth
St. NW, Washington, DC 20001).

30. Three-Parent Embryos:
Gearing up for the U.S. Debate
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