Researchers in Newcastle have been granted permission to use anew 'three-parent baby' fertility technique that prevents children from inheriting lethal genetic diseases.

Three-person IVF was given the go-aheadby fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in December.

Now the regulator has approved a licence for scientists at Newcastle University meaning the first babies to be born with donated DNA from a third woman in addition to their mother and father are expected to be born later this year.

The UK was the first country to legalise mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), as the technique is known.

One in 200 children are born with faulty genes in their mitochondria, small structures inside cells that generate energy.

This can lead to a wide range of potentially fatal conditions affecting vital organs, muscles, vision, growth and mental ability.

Just 0.1 per cent of a persons DNA is held in the mitochondria. It is always inherited from the mother and has no influence over individual characteristics such as appearance and personality.

In mitochondrial replacement,an embryo containing healthy mitochondria from the donor is combined withnuclear DNA from the babys mother and father.

In theory, mitochondrial replacement can not only prevent a child developing inherited diseases, but also protect future generations.

Critics say the technique is not foolproof and small numbers of faulty mitochondria may still be carried over into the child, and even replicate in the developing embryo.

More to follow...

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First 'three-parent babies' to be born this year as licence approved for new fertility technique - The Independent