Assessing unborn children’s rights in the context of mitochondrial research therapy: a legal analysis

Abstract

This research investigates the ethical and legal dimensions of Mitochondrial Research Therapy (MRT), an innovative reproductive technology that prevents mothers from passing mitochondrial diseases to their children. By incorporating mitochondrial replacement into the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process, MRT offers a transformative solution for families at risk of hereditary mitochondrial disorders. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent advisory body for UK policymakers, endorses MRT as ethically permissible, provided it meets standards of safety and effectiveness, and includes comprehensive support and information for patients. Focusing on the UK, the first country to legalise MRT, this analysis evaluates whether the therapy respects the autonomy and genetic integrity of future offsprings, addressing the rights of embryos and foetuses within existing legal frameworks. Through this analysis, the research highlights the need for ethical considerations that protect the unborn children while advancing the benefits of MRT, ensuring reproductive progress upholds both the rights and well-being of potential offspring