Eight babies have been born in the UK using a groundbreaking IVF technique that combines DNA from three people to prevent incurable mitochondrial diseases, BBC reported.

The method uses the egg and sperm from the parents along with healthy mitochondria from a female donor, stopping the mother from passing on faulty genes. Mitochondrial diseases, which affect energy production in the body, can cause severe disability or death in infancy.

Developed in Newcastle and legal in the UK for a decade, the technique is now delivering results. Families, speaking anonymously, described the births as a source of hope and healing after years of loss, according to BBC.

The Newcastle Fertility Centre expects 20 to 30 such births annually, offering new chances to families at risk.