A newborn of Romanian origin is the subject of a medical success story in Europe. He is the first baby born with a laboratory altered genetic structure.
Lucas Neagu was conceived through in vitro fertilization after doctors removed the genes that predisposed him to a neurological disease that could cause his limbs muscles to weaken.
Lucas Neagu had a high risk of suffering from a rare disease, called the Charcot Marie Tooth.
The 26-year-old mother of Lucas inherited the disease from her father and she was afraid that she would pass it on to her children. She was fully aware of what they would have to go through , especially since the disease manifests more aggressively in men.
Geneticists at a clinic in the UK, where the Romanian couple lives, succeeded in removing this danger. The couple then followed in vitro fertilization treatments.
A total of 12 embryos, resulting from the procedure underwent a biopsy. Only 6 were healthy, and the doctors implanted one on Carmen. Two other two healthy embryos were preserved for future pregnancy.
Lucas Neagu is now three months and he is a healthy happy baby, his parents say.