Fact-check analysisVerified as of July 18, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Mostly True

A groundbreaking IVF trial has raised hope that women with genetic mutations in their own DNA could one day have children without passing on deadly diseases.

A recent groundbreaking IVF trial using mitochondrial donation has successfully led to the birth of eight healthy babies, reducing the risk that women with certain genetic mutations will pass on deadly mitochondrial diseases to their children.

FactVerify

FactVerify

Source: factverify.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 18, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim can be broken down into several components: 1) a groundbreaking IVF trial has taken place, 2) it involves women with genetic mutations in their DNA, 3) it aims to prevent passing on deadly diseases to children, and 4) it has raised hope for future applications. Evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that a world-first IVF trial in the U.K. Used a technique called mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), which involves replacing mutated mitochondrial DNA in the mother's egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor egg.

This procedure effectively reduces the risk of mitochondrial diseases, which are inherited through maternal mitochondrial DNA. The trial resulted in the birth of eight healthy babies, demonstrating proof of concept and raising hope for women carrying such mutations to have children without transmitting these diseases.cbsnews.comcbsnews.com8 babies born with DNA from 3 people in world-first IVF trial aimed at...livescience.comlivescience.com8 babies spared from potentially deadly inherited diseases through new IVF...

However, it is important to note that this technique specifically targets mitochondrial DNA mutations and does not address all types of genetic mutations in nuclear DNA. Additionally, while the results are promising, the technique is still experimental and subject to ethical debates and regulatory restrictions in some countries.technologyreview.comtechnologyreview.comResearchers announce babies born from a trial of three-person IVFbbc.combbc.comBabies from three people's DNA prevents hereditary disease

Therefore, while the claim is largely accurate regarding mitochondrial disease prevention and hope raised by the trial, it should not be generalized to all genetic mutations or diseases.

Primary trail

Verified Sources5

8 babies born with DNA from 3 people in world-first IVF trial aimed at...

cbsnews.com
Open source

8 babies spared from potentially deadly inherited diseases through new IVF...

livescience.com
Open source

Eight healthy babies born after IVF using DNA from three people

theguardian.com
Open source
Keep exploring

Where to go next

Continue with the evidence, catch up on the week, or save this check for later.

Share or return