Family Welcomes First Designer Baby After Unique IVF Success

A couple from Harlow, Essex, has welcomed the world’s first designer baby conceived through a groundbreaking IVF technique aimed at preventing a rare genetic disorder. Ashleigh and Daniel Bradshaw’s second daughter, Sophie, was born in October 2023, following a successful preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) process that allowed them to select an embryo free from the genetic mutation affecting their eldest daughter, Maddy.

Maddy, aged nine, was diagnosed with a rare mutation in her MECOM gene, which caused congenital bone marrow failure. This condition affects only about 50 individuals globally. Ashleigh, 39, recalls the alarming moment when they first noticed bruising on Maddy’s body shortly after her birth. “We were worried it might be meningitis,” she said. “Blood tests revealed she had no red or white blood cells, or any platelets.”

After being transferred to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Maddy underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at eight months old, thanks to a donor match. Since then, she has led a healthy life, but her family faced the heart-wrenching possibility of having another child who might inherit the same condition.

With Maddy expressing a desire for a sibling, her parents faced a dilemma. “She kept asking if she could be a big sister,” Ashleigh explained. “We had to explain that the risk was too great.” However, the medical team at GOSH presented the family with an innovative solution that had never been attempted before for this specific condition: the use of IVF and PGT to select a healthy embryo.

Preimplantation genetic testing involves creating embryos in a laboratory and testing them for genetic defects. Only embryos free from the MECOM mutation were eligible for implantation. “When we heard that this was possible, it gave us a ray of hope,” Ashleigh said. The couple applied for NHS funding and obtained permission to proceed.

In this process, four embryos were developed, and only one was found to be genetically viable. “We only had that one chance, so we were praying that it was going to work,” Ashleigh reflected. Following a positive pregnancy test, the couple shared the joyful news with Maddy after their first scan. “She was beyond excited,” said Ashleigh.

Sophie’s birth marked a significant achievement not only for the Bradshaw family but also for medical science. Maddy has embraced her role as an older sister, showcasing a bond that is already evident. “Maddy is an amazing big sister and dotes on Sophie,” Ashleigh noted.

According to Tanya Dexter, Senior Medical Officer at the bone marrow charity Anthony Nolan, PGT represents a growing technique that can prevent serious inherited conditions. “This approach has allowed a healthy baby to be born and avoided the need for a transplant, which is much better,” she stated.

Professor Asma Khalil from St George’s Hospital in London emphasized the transformative potential of PGT for families at risk of passing on severe genetic diseases. “It’s an amazing advance in science,” she remarked.

The Bradshaws’ journey highlights not only the emotional resilience of families facing genetic challenges but also the remarkable advancements in reproductive technology that can change lives for the better.