https://Voice.club - Maria and Giovanni were in the consultant’s office. Next to them in the buggy, Cana lay asleep, oblivious to the world. Opposite, across the modern oak desk, sat Mark Frobisher, consultant neurologist, and Professor Dalglish of Newcastle University.
Mark, smiling, was speaking.
“Excellent news, Maria. Cana has met all the development tests and physical checks for his age. He is healthy with no evidence of mitochondrial disease.”
Maria inwardly shivered as he spoke these words. Mitochondria, something she had never heard of until two years ago. The death of their baby daughter had been devastating for them, but the cause had dealt them an even bigger blow. Mitochondrial disease, they learnt, is passed from mother to daughter. Every egg contains diseased mitochondria which causes numerous illnesses and disabilities in the babies, often fatal, and there was no known cure. After their initial shock, Maria had asked the obvious question from behind her veil of tears.
“Does this mean we can never have children?”
The doctor had nodded but then thrown out the thinnest of lifelines.
“We can’t cure it, but there is a trial in Newcastle. I will refer you to be assessed for suitability.”
They had met Professor Dalglish, who had explained the procedure.
“We take both your DNA and inject it into a healthy donor egg which is then implanted in you for the gestation.”
Maria remembered voicing her concerns.
“But doesn’t that mean the child has the DNA of three people?”
“Yes, exactly,” replied the professor, “but only 0.1% of the donor’s DNA is present, and we have bypassed the diseased mitochondria surrounding your egg. What’s more, we believe any children born with this method will no longer carry the diseased gene, a gift to your future generations.”
Reassured, they had readily agreed. Rigorous testing followed, and a suitable egg donor found. Nine months later, Maria gave birth to a beautiful boy whom they named Cana.
Today they were hearing confirmation of news for which they had both dreamed. Their child was free of the disease. Cana, their very own miracle child.