PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G Owen Schaefer
TI  - The need for donor consent in mitochondrial replacement
AID  - 10.1136/medethics-2017-104661
DP  - 2018 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 825--829
VI  - 44
IP  - 12
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/44/12/825.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/44/12/825.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2018 Dec 01; 44
AB  - Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) requires oocytes of women whose mitochondrial DNA will be transmitted to resultant children. These techniques are scientifically, ethically and socially controversial; it is likely that some women who donate their oocytes for general in vitro fertilisation usage would nevertheless oppose their genetic material being used in MRT. The possibility of oocytes being used in MRT is therefore relevant to oocyte donation and should be included in the consent process when applicable. In present circumstances (especially because MRT is still an emerging technique), specific consent should be obtained. However, once MRT becomes more routine, such consent could be incorporated into the general consent process for oocyte donation. The reported lack of proper consent for MRT from the oocyte donor in the first baby born via the technique is an ethical failing and should be corrected in any future practice of MRT.