Mitochondrial replacement techniques or therapies (MRTs) to improve embryo development and to prevent mitochondrial disease transmission

The mitochondrion which contains its own double-stranded circular DNA is a semi-independent organelle that plays critical roles in cell activity. Mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） is maternally inherited through several mechanisms that have been proposed （Luo et al., 2013） and, if mitochondrial mutations are inherited to the offspring, it is possible to cause mitochondrial diseases such as neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, myopathy, and liver failure.