new IVF study

The UK government has asked the fertility watchdog to assess a controversial new treatment for IVF.

Scientists have been invited to advise whether the new "three-parent IVF" procedure should be approved to help couples affected by devastating conditions.

An expert panel from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority will consider its safety and effectiveness before reporting to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

The technique could help couples have healthy children even if they are affected by mitochondrial diseases.

At present, babies born with one of the rare diseases can suffer fatal liver, heart and neurological disorders.

Alison Murdoch, from Newcastle University, which has developed the technique, said: "We are not ready to do this in patients now, but the science is progressing very rapidly and we need to get parliament to discuss this again now."