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Financial compensation of oocyte donors: an Ethics Committee opinion. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:319-325. [PMID: 33910756 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Financial compensation of women donating oocytes for reproductive or research purposes is justified on ethical grounds and should acknowledge the time, inconvenience, and discomfort associated with screening, ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval, and postretrieval recovery and not vary according to the planned use of the oocytes or the number or quality of oocytes retrieved. This document replaces the document of the same name published in 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
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- American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
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2
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Adashi EY, Cohen IG. Disruptive Synergy: Melding of Human Genetics and Clinical Assisted Reproduction. CELL REPORTS MEDICINE 2020; 1:100093. [PMID: 33205071 PMCID: PMC7659539 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The melding of human genetics with clinical assisted reproduction, now all but self-evident, gave flight to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches previously deemed infeasible. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis, mitochondrial replacement techniques, and remedial germline editing are particularly noteworthy. Here we explore the relevant disruption brought forth by coalescence of these mutually enabling disciplines with the regulatory and legal implications thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Y. Adashi
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - I. Glenn Cohen
- Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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3
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Cohen IG, Adashi EY, Gerke S, Palacios-González C, Ravitsky V. The Regulation of Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques Around the World. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2020; 21:565-586. [PMID: 31961722 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-111119-101815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs, also referred to as mitochondrial replacement therapies) have given hope to many women who wish to have genetically related children but have mitochondrial DNA mutations in their eggs. MRTs have also spurred deep ethical disagreements and led to different regulatory approaches worldwide. In this review, we discuss the current regulation of MRTs across several countries. After discussing the basics of the science, we describe the current law and policy directions in seven countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Israel, and Singapore. We also discuss the emerging phenomenon of medical tourism (also called medical travel) for MRTs to places like Greece, Spain, Mexico, and Ukraine. We then pull out some key findings regarding similarities and differences in regulatory approaches around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Glenn Cohen
- Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; ,
| | - Eli Y Adashi
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA;
| | - Sara Gerke
- Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; ,
| | - César Palacios-González
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 1PT, United Kingdom;
| | - Vardit Ravitsky
- Bioethics Programs, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada;
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Hill GE, Havird JC, Sloan DB, Burton RS, Greening C, Dowling DK. Assessing the fitness consequences of mitonuclear interactions in natural populations. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1089-1104. [PMID: 30588726 PMCID: PMC6613652 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metazoans exist only with a continuous and rich supply of chemical energy from oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. The oxidative phosphorylation machinery that mediates energy conservation is encoded by both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and hence the products of these two genomes must interact closely to achieve coordinated function of core respiratory processes. It follows that selection for efficient respiration will lead to selection for compatible combinations of mitochondrial and nuclear genotypes, and this should facilitate coadaptation between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes (mitonuclear coadaptation). Herein, we outline the modes by which mitochondrial and nuclear genomes may coevolve within natural populations, and we discuss the implications of mitonuclear coadaptation for diverse fields of study in the biological sciences. We identify five themes in the study of mitonuclear interactions that provide a roadmap for both ecological and biomedical studies seeking to measure the contribution of intergenomic coadaptation to the evolution of natural populations. We also explore the wider implications of the fitness consequences of mitonuclear interactions, focusing on central debates within the fields of ecology and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey E. Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, United States of America
| | - Justin C. Havird
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, United States of America
| | - Daniel B. Sloan
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, United States of America
| | - Ronald S. Burton
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, United States of America
| | - Chris Greening
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Damian K. Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Sauer MV. Revisiting the early days of oocyte and embryo donation: relevance to contemporary clinical practice. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:981-987. [PMID: 30396565 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte and embryo donation have evolved significantly since they were first introduced to treat human infertility nearly four decades ago. Social, ethical, and regulatory challenges to oocyte and embryo donation have generated controversy and invited public scrutiny. However, oocyte and embryo donation continued to provide physicians the opportunity to treat the "untreatable." Undoubtedly, clinical practices related to oocyte and embryo donation have greatly changed over the years. Yet, they have endured as viable choices of treatment for many patients and their physicians, remained popular owing to their versatility, and, perhaps most importantly, provided consistently high pregnancy success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark V Sauer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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Dobler R, Dowling DK, Morrow EH, Reinhardt K. A systematic review and meta-analysis reveals pervasive effects of germline mitochondrial replacement on components of health. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 24:519-534. [PMID: 29757366 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial replacement, a form of nuclear transfer, has been proposed as a germline therapy to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial replacement therapy has been licensed for clinical application in the UK, and already carried out in other countries, but little is known about negative or unintended effects on the health of offspring born using this technique. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Studies in invertebrate models have used techniques that achieve mitochondrial replacement to create offspring with novel combinations of mitochondrial and nuclear genotype. These have demonstrated that the creation of novel mitochondrial-nuclear interactions can lead to alterations in offspring characteristics, such as development rates, fertility and longevity. However, it is currently unclear whether such interactions could similarly affect the outcomes of vertebrate biomedical studies, which have sought to assess the efficacy of the replacement therapy. SEARCH METHODS This systematic review addresses whether the effects of mitochondrial replacement on offspring characteristics differ in magnitude between biological (conducted on invertebrate models, with an ecological or evolutionary focus) and biomedical studies (conducted on vertebrate models, with a clinical focus). Studies were selected based on a key-word search in 'Web of Science', complemented by backward searches of reviews on the topic of mitochondrial-nuclear (mito-nuclear) interactions. In total, 43 of the resulting 116 publications identified in the search contained reliable data to estimate effect sizes of mitochondrial replacement. We found no evidence of publication bias when examining effect-size estimates across sample sizes. OUTCOMES Mitochondrial replacement consistently altered the phenotype, with significant effects at several levels of organismal performance and health, including gene expression, anatomy, metabolism and life-history. Biomedical and biological studies, while differing in the methods used to achieve mitochondrial replacement, showed only marginally significant differences in effect-size estimates (-0.233 [CI: -0.495 to -0.011]), with larger effect-size estimates in biomedical studies (0.697 [CI: 0.450-0.956]) than biological studies (0.462 [CI: 0.287-0.688]). Humans showed stronger effects than other species. Effects of mitochondrial replacement were also stronger in species with a higher basal metabolic rate. Based on our results, we conducted the first formal risk analysis of mitochondrial replacement, and conservatively estimate negative effects in at least one in every 130 resulting offspring born to the therapy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Our findings suggest that mitochondrial replacement may routinely affect offspring characteristics across a wide array of animal species, and that such effects are likely to extend to humans. Studies in invertebrate models have confirmed mito-nuclear interactions as the underpinning cause of organismal effects following mitochondrial replacement. This therefore suggests that mito-nuclear interactions are also likely to be contributing to effects seen in biomedical studies, on vertebrate models, whose effect sizes exceeded those of biological studies. Our results advocate the use of safeguards that could offset any negative effects (defining any unintended effect as being negative) mediated by mito-nuclear interactions following mitochondrial replacement in humans, such as mitochondrial genetic matching between donor and recipient. Our results also suggest that further research into the molecular nature of mito-nuclear interactions would be beneficial in refining the clinical application of mitochondrial replacement, and in establishing what degree of variation between donor and patient mitochondrial DNA haplotypes is acceptable to ensure 'haplotype matching'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Dobler
- Applied Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
| | - Damian K Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Edward H Morrow
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Klaus Reinhardt
- Applied Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
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Elfawy HA, Das B. Crosstalk between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and age related neurodegenerative disease: Etiologies and therapeutic strategies. Life Sci 2018; 218:165-184. [PMID: 30578866 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial function is vital for normal cellular processes. Mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress have been greatly implicated in the progression of aging, along with the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although antioxidant therapy has been proposed for the prevention and treatment of age-related NDs, unraveling the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to significant progress in the development of effective treatments against such diseases. Aging is associated with the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are the major contributors to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused because of the imbalance between the production of ROS and their oxidation, which can affect the mitochondrial respiratory chain function, thereby altering the membrane permeability and calcium homeostasis, along with increasing the heteroplasmic mtDNA and weakening the mitochondrial defense systems. Mitochondrial dysfunction mainly affects mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics that are prominent in several age-related NDs. Mitochondrial dysfunction has a crucial role in the pathophysiology of age-related NDs. Several mitochondria targeted strategies, such as enhancing the antioxidant bioavailability via novel delivery systems, identifying unique mitochondrial proteins as specific drug targets, investigating the signaling pathways of mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics, and identifying effective natural products are potentially effective to counteract mitochondrial dysfunction-related NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasnaa A Elfawy
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Biswadeep Das
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India.
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Overcoming bioethical, legal, and hereditary barriers to mitochondrial replacement therapy in the USA. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 36:383-393. [PMID: 30554395 PMCID: PMC6439114 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to explore novel means to overcome the controversial ban in the USA against mitochondrial replacement therapy, a form of IVF, with the added step of replacing a woman’s diseased mutated mitochondria with a donor’s healthy mitochondria to prevent debilitating and often fatal mitochondrial diseases. Long proven effective in non-human species, MRT recently performed in Mexico resulted in the birth of a healthy baby boy. We explore the ethics of the ban, the concerns over hereditability of mitochondrial disease and its mathematical basis, the overlooked role of Mitochondrial Eve, the financial burden of mitochondrial diseases for taxpayers, and a woman’s reproductive rights. We examine applicable court cases, particularly protection of autonomy within the reproductive rights assured by Roe v Wade. We examine the consequences of misinterpreting MRT as genetic engineering in the congressional funding prohibitions causing the MRT ban by the FDA. Allowing MRT to take place in the USA would ensure a high standard of reproductive medicine and safety for afflicted women wishing to have genetically related children, concurrently alleviating the significant financial burden of mitochondrial diseases on its taxpayers. Since MRT does not modify any genome, it falls outside the “heritable genetic modification” terminology of concern to Congress and the FDA. Correcting this terminology, the IOM’s conclusion that MRT is ethical, the continuing normalcy of the first MRT recipient, and increasing public awareness of the promising benefits might be all that is required to modify the FDA’s position on MRT.
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10
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Adashi EY, Cohen IG. Preventing Mitochondrial Diseases: Embryo-Sparing Donor-Independent Options. Trends Mol Med 2018; 24:449-457. [PMID: 29605176 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutant mitochondrial DNA gives rise to a broad range of incurable inborn maladies. Prevention may now be possible by replacing the mutation-carrying mitochondria of zygotes or oocytes at risk with donated unaffected counterparts. However, mitochondrial replacement therapy is being held back by theological, ethical, and safety concerns over the loss of human zygotes and the involvement of a donor. These concerns make it plain that the identification, validation, and regulatory adjudication of novel embryo-sparing donor-independent technologies remains a pressing imperative. This Opinion highlights three emerging embryo-sparing donor-independent options that stand to markedly allay theological, ethical, and safety concerns raised by mitochondrial replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Y Adashi
- The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
| | - I Glenn Cohen
- Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, Harvard University, 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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11
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Schandera J, Mackey TK. Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques: Divergence in Global Policy. Trends Genet 2017; 32:385-390. [PMID: 27206380 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, the UK became the first country permitting the clinical application of mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRT). Here, we explore how MRT have led to diverging international policy. In response, we recommend focused regulatory efforts coupled with United Nations (UN) leadership to build international consensus on the future of MRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Schandera
- Global Health Policy Institute, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, A203, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tim K Mackey
- Global Health Policy Institute, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, A203, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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12
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Sloan DB, Fields PD, Havird JC. Mitonuclear linkage disequilibrium in human populations. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:rspb.2015.1704. [PMID: 26378221 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is extensive evidence from model systems that disrupting associations between co-adapted mitochondrial and nuclear genotypes can lead to deleterious and even lethal consequences. While it is tempting to extrapolate from these observations and make inferences about the human-health effects of altering mitonuclear associations, the importance of such associations may vary greatly among species, depending on population genetics, demographic history and other factors. Remarkably, despite the extensive study of human population genetics, the statistical associations between nuclear and mitochondrial alleles remain largely uninvestigated. We analysed published population genomic data to test for signatures of historical selection to maintain mitonuclear associations, particularly those involving nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial-localized proteins (N-mt genes). We found that significant mitonuclear linkage disequilibrium (LD) exists throughout the human genome, but these associations were generally weak, which is consistent with the paucity of population genetic structure in humans. Although mitonuclear LD varied among genomic regions (with especially high levels on the X chromosome), N-mt genes were statistically indistinguishable from background levels, suggesting that selection on mitonuclear epistasis has not preferentially maintained associations involving this set of loci at a species-wide level. We discuss these findings in the context of the ongoing debate over mitochondrial replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Sloan
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Peter D Fields
- Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, Basel, 4051, Switzerland
| | - Justin C Havird
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Morrow EH, Reinhardt K, Wolff JN, Dowling DK. Risks inherent to mitochondrial replacement. EMBO Rep 2015; 16:541-4. [PMID: 25807984 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201439110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edward H Morrow
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Klaus Reinhardt
- Applied Zoology, Department of Biology, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonci N Wolff
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Damian K Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
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