Eight babies were born in the United Kingdom by using genetic material by three people, in the context of an innovative method aimed at preventing serious and incurable diseases, British doctors said.

Method combines the ovum and semen by the biological parents with a second egg from a female donor. The technique has been legal for a decade, but now scientists have the first proof that it leads to children born without inheritance mitochondrial diseases.

These diseases are transmitted from mother to child and can cause serious disability or even death In infants shortly after their birth.

Parents who underwent the process expressed their deep gratitude: “After years of uncertainty, this treatment has given us hope – and gave us our child,” says the mother of a girl.

‘The weight of mitochondrial disease is gone and there is only in place joy, hope and gratitude‘, adds another mother.

The eight births (4ths and 4 girls, including a pair of twins) is the result of the process applied to 22 families.

According to Professor Bobby McFarland, head of the NHS National Mitochondrial Disease System, All infants are healthydo not display indications and grow normally.

“To see relief and joy in the faces of these baby parents after so long waiting and fear of the consequences … It is wonderful to be able to see these babies alive, prosper and grow normally,” The professor stressed.

Scientific team continues the studies to improve the accuracy of techniqueas any error will be inherited to future generations, as mitochondria passes only from mother to child, the BBC reports.

It is noted that Britain is the first country in the world to legitimized the process In 2015, after a vote in parliament.

However, this method has divideafter the mitochondria contain their own DNA And ethical questions are raised because of the permanent change in genetic material.

Children have inherited DNA from their parents but about 0.1% are from the donor woman.

As Professor Doug Turnbull at Newcastle University points out: “It took top science, proper legislation, support from NHS – and now we have Eight children free from a devastating disease. What a wonderful achievement‘.

“For many families, this is the first true hope of breaking the vicious circle of a hereditary conviction” Liz Curtis, founder of the Lily Foundation, who supports families with mitochondrial diseases.