Scientists successfully created four monkeys using the genetic material of three parents. The baby monkeys, Mito, Tracker, Spindler and Spindly were conceived using the egg of a mother, the sperm of a father and replacement mitochondrial DNA from a second female to correct genetic flaws.
The technique could potentially be used in humans to correct passing on inherited genetic conditions and diseases.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article6811080.ece
Mito and Tracker
Newborn baby monkeys Mito and Tracker developed from ebryos with transplanted DNA
References
Fast Facts
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Story published in Nature on August 26, 2009
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Published study titled Mitochondrial gene replacement in primate offspring and embryonic stem cells"
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Fourbaby monkeys were created with the DNA of three parent monkeys
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99% of the DNA is natural, from a male and female; 1% of the mitochondrial DNA comes from a third monkey
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Flawed mitochontrial DNA can lead to blindness, muscle disorders and heart disease in children
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Scientists replaced the damaged DNA from the original egg with the mitochondrial DNA of a third monkey
