Why 3-Person Embryos Are Revolutionizing Science but Missing the LGBTQ+ Fertility Conversation

Posted on 27 July 2025 by Elena Moreno — 3 min

Imagine a fertility breakthrough so advanced that it merges DNA from three individuals — a scientific marvel that promises to prevent hereditary diseases and advance reproductive medicine. But here’s the twist: while hailed as revolutionary, this breakthrough leaves many questioning, especially within LGBTQ+ communities. Why? Because genetic parentage isn’t the full story of family.

A recent analysis titled “Here’s why 3-person embryos are a breakthrough for science – but not LGBTQ+ families” shines a spotlight on this very tension. Let’s unpack what makes 3-person embryos a game-changer — and why they inadvertently fall short for rainbow families.

What Are 3-Person Embryos?

In simple terms, 3-person embryos involve combining nuclear DNA from two parents and mitochondrial DNA from a donor egg. This technique is designed to prevent mitochondrial diseases and improve embryo viability. It’s a leap forward in medical science, touted as a way to ‘erase’ certain genetic conditions before birth.

Mitochondrial DNA comes only from the egg donor, not the ‘third parent,’ so the notion of ‘three parents’ is scientifically misleading.
The breakthrough is incredibly important for families facing specific genetic disorders.

But here’s where it gets complex.

Why 3-Person Embryos Don’t Fully Serve LGBTQ+ Families

The conversation often centers on DNA as the defining marker of parenthood, but families — especially LGBTQ+ families — are defined by far more than genetics. The article emphasizes that using donor eggs or sperm doesn’t create “three parents” in a social or emotional sense.

For many LGBTQ+ couples, family is built through intention, caregiving, and legal recognition, not merely genetic connections.
Techniques like 3-person embryos don’t tackle core barriers such as access to fertility treatments, legal hurdles, or societal recognition.

The Data Speaks: Success Rates and Accessibility

While 3-person embryo tech is still emerging and primarily clinical, at-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom bridge critical gaps by empowering individuals and couples — including LGBTQ+ people — to take fertility into their own hands.

MakeAMom reports a 67% average success rate, demonstrating how accessible technology can redefine fertility journeys.
Their products accommodate unique fertility challenges, such as low motility sperm or conditions like vaginismus, with reusable, cost-effective kits.

This contrast highlights how breakthroughs in science need to be matched by innovations in accessibility and inclusivity.

Bridging the Gap: What’s Next for LGBTQ+ Fertility?

If the goal is to make reproductive technology meaningful for all families, the focus must expand beyond genetics to include:

Legal and social recognition of diverse family structures.
Affordable, user-friendly fertility options at home.
Inclusive fertility counseling that respects non-traditional pathways to parenthood.

Organizations and products that center these values are already making strides.

To Sum It Up:

3-person embryos represent an astonishing scientific leap with the potential to prevent inherited diseases. However, as the data and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ families reveal, family-building is about more than DNA. It’s about connection, choice, and accessibility.

If you or someone you know is navigating the complex world of fertility, consider the full spectrum of options — including at-home technologies designed to meet diverse needs. For those curious about how these tools work or seeking alternatives outside clinical settings, the resources at MakeAMom’s home insemination kits are worth exploring.

What do you think? Are cutting-edge genetic technologies enough, or should the future of fertility include broader, more inclusive solutions? Share your thoughts below — let’s keep this important conversation going.

References: - Here’s why 3-person embryos are a breakthrough for science – but not LGBTQ+ families