Mitochondrial Donation — Ethical Considerations

Abstract

Background: Mitochondrial donation is an assisted reproductive technology that can be used to avoid transmission of mitochondrially encoded mitochondrial DNA disease from women to their children. The Australian government is currently considering whether to legalise mitochondrial donation for clinical use. Aim: This presentation will elucidate and reflect on the main ethical issues that arise in mitochondrial donation. Method: This presentation will utilise methods of bioethics scholarship, which includes presenting concepts and/or issues and critically reflecting on them. A goal of bioethics scholarship is to come to a normative position about what should happen and how this should be justified. Results: Ethical issues do arise in the development and clinical use of mitochondrial donation. Those particularly relevant in relation to the proposed use of mitochondrial donation in Australia include responsibility for safety, equity of access, the heritability of the changes to the germ-line, the value of genetic kinship, oocyte donor anonymity, the choice not to use this technology and follow-up of children over time. Conclusion: Mitochondrial donation offers a promising additional reproductive option for those with a high chance of transmitting mitochondrially encoded mitochondrial disease. Ethical implementation of mitochondrial donation in Australia necessitates consideration of numerous ethical issues, not all of which have yet been given appropriate attention.