Mitochondrial donation in translational medicine; from imagination to reality

The existence of active crosstalk between cells in a paracrine and juxtacrine manner dictates specific activity under physiological and pathological conditions. Upon juxtacrine interaction between the cells, various types of signaling molecules and organelles are regularly transmitted in response to changes in the microenvironment. To date, it has been well-established that numerous parallel cellular mechanisms participate in the mitochondrial transfer to modulate metabolic needs in the target cells. Since the conception of stem cells activity in the restoration of tissues’ function, it has been elucidated that these cells possess a unique capacity to deliver the mitochondrial package to the juxtaposed cells. The existence of mitochondrial donation potentiates the capacity of modulation in the distinct cells to achieve better therapeutic effects. This review article aims to scrutinize the current knowledge regarding the stem cell’s mitochondrial transfer capacity and their regenerative potential.

Powering life through MitoTechnologies: exploring the bio-objectification of mitochondria in reproduction

Mitochondria, the organelles providing the cell with energy, have recently gained greater public visibility in the UK and beyond, through the introduction of two reproductive technologies which involve their manipulation, specifically ‘mitochondrial donation’ to prevent the maternal transmission of inherited disorders, and ‘Augment’ to improve egg quality and fertility. Focusing on these two ‘MitoTechnologies’ and mobilising the conceptual framework of “bio-objectification”, we examine three key processes whereby mitochondria are made to appear to have a life of their own: their transferability, their optimisation of life processes and their capitalisation. We then explore the implications of their bio-objectification in the bioeconomy of reproduction. Drawing on publicly available material collected in two research projects, we argue that mitochondria become a biopolitical agent by contributing to the redefinition of life as something that can be boosted at the cellular level and in reproduction. Mitochondria are now presented as playing a key role for a successful and healthy conception through the development and promotion of MitoTechnologies. We also show how their “revitalising power” is invested with great promissory capital, mainly deriving from their ethical and scientific biovalue in the case of mitochondrial donation, and from the logics of assetisation, in the case of Augment.

Mitochondrial donation — hope for families with mitochondrial DNA disease

In 2015, the UK became the first country to approve the use of mitochondrial donation. This novel in vitro fertilisation treatment was developed to prevent transmission of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disease and ultimately give more reproductive choice to women at risk of having severely affected offspring. The policy change was a major advance that surmounted many scientific, legislative and clinical challenges. Further challenges have since been addressed and there is now an NHS clinical service available to families with pathogenic mtDNA mutations that provides reproductive advice and options, and a research study to look at the outcome at 18 months of children born after mitochondrial donation.

Why is an Egg Donor a Genetic Parent, but not a Mitochondrial Donor?

As new ways of reproducing emerge, advancing technologies are forcing us to rethink our old ideas of what it means to be a genetic parent. Why should some processes qualify as “reproduction” and others should not? To illustrate the practical impact of providing a defensible account of reproduction, the author examines the case of mitochondrial donation (mtDNA) and calls for a philosophical argument to bring clarity to exactly what we mean by ‘reproduction.’