Ancestral Eve

“Because only mitochondria from eggs are passed on to children – mitochondria from sperm are lost at fertilisation – we can trace people’s maternal ancestors using mitochondrial DNA. This has allowed us to work out that everyone alive had a common female ancestor living at some point between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. This doesn’t mean she was the only woman alive at the time, just that all the other women’s descendants later died out.” (

“Some women have mutations in their mitochondria DNA that mean their babies could be born with a deadly condition or a disability. A new IVF technique called mitochondrial replacement therapy means that doctors can switch the mitochondria from a person’s eggs with those from an unaffected individual. Together with the complement of DNA from the father, this means the resulting children technically have three genetic parents. (New Scientist 27 Nov 2021)

My comment: In awe of these scientists and doctors. I can’t understand why so many people don’t trust them. They are a great blessing!