Fertility clinics are offering young mitochondria in controversial fertility technique - Nature
nature.com
Fertility clinics worldwide are advertising "young mitochondria" transfers before rigorous studies exist — raising the question of whether hope is outpacing science.
Precautionary PrincipleInformation AsymmetryRegulatory LagPlacebo Effect
Theory Briefing
- Clinics are marketing mitochondria from younger cells as a fertility booster, despite no rigorous clinical trials backing the procedure.
- Researchers are alarmed the technique is already commercially available globally while its safety and efficacy remain unstudied.
- The gap between clinic advertising and scientific evidence puts prospective patients in the position of paying to be test subjects.
- Mitochondrial function is linked to egg quality and age-related fertility decline, making the premise plausible enough to fuel demand.