From Anna Dyer
I read with interest Justin Havird’s proposal that sex evolved because of mismatches between DNA in mitochondria and cell nuclei (19 September, p 28). It brought to mind a report on mitochondrial substitution as a new treatment for women unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to faulty mitochondria (4 June 2014, p 28).
If Havird is correct in his hypothesis then shouldn’t we question the use of enucleated donor eggs, carrying a second woman’s mitochondrial DNA, until we know more? Will these mismatches be a significant disadvantage to the resultant offspring? At least, should we not ensure that the “nuclear” and “mitochondrial” mothers are genetically related to each other?
I feel that this issue should be reviewed in the UK by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in the very near future.
Fareham, Hampshire, UK
