When it comes to its genes, baby monkey Mito has not two, but three parents.
Mito is short for mitochondria -- the gene-carrying structures located in the nucleus that biologists call the power plants of the cell.
Using a controversial in vitro fertilization technique, Mito's mother's egg was injected with mitochondrial DNA from an egg donor and then fertilized with his father's sperm.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) Biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University saying:
"This will work in humans because we've tested it in other primates."
Biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University, who conducted the research, says it should be expanded to women with mutations in their mitochondria that cause inherited diseases, such as recurrent seizures, blindness, and diabetes.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) Biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University saying:
"They almost have no reproductive options,
