Reviewing Mitochondrial Replacement for Inclusion as Option for Couples Seeking Assisted Reproductive Treatments

Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the recent successes of the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique, mitochondrial replacement, for inclusion as an option for couples seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is aware of recent developments using mitochondrial replacement in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or “three-person” IVF that prevents the transmission of severe mitochondrial diseases from mothers who are carriers to their children. This involves the use of healthy mitochondria from a third-party donor to replace faulty maternal mitochondria.

This procedure remains a novel and emerging approach. The Ministry will study the evidence from clinical trials and consider ethical implications as we continue to monitor international developments and research outcomes in this area.