The child was conceived using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, in Mexico.

The three-parent procedure is illegal in the United States. But American Dr. John Zhang, a reproductive endocrinologist at New Hope Fertility Center in New York City, and the participants went to Mexico because "there are no rules" there, Zhang reportedly told New Scientist.

Zhang combined DNA from three people, a man and two women because the mother had a potentially fatal flaw in her DNA. She carries a gene for Leigh syndrome, a neurological disorder that typically becomes apparent in a child's first year of life and usually results in early death.

The mother already bore two children, both of whom were stricken with Leigh Syndrome. One died at age 6, the other died at six months of age. People who develop the syndrome rarely live past age 7. The mother also suffered four miscarriages.

While the mother herself does not have Leigh Syndrome, a gene for it resides in her DNA, specifically in her mitochondria, the portion of the cell that provides energy.

Zhang was able to use most of the mother's own DNA to make the new baby. That included the all-important nucleus. However, he did not use the mother's mitochondria because that contained the defective gene. Instead, he used the mitochondria from a donor egg. (Photo: Dr John Zhang/via New Hope Fertility Center)

Then he combined the portions of the two eggs with the father's sperm to create a healthy embryo, which was implanted in the mother's uterus.

The resulting child is not genetically one-third each parent, it's almost entirely made up of genetic material from its father and mother.

"If you look at the amount of DNA, it's almost like it's 2.001 parents rather than three. But it's DNA from three different people," CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus said.

Zhang says the baby has not shown any signs of illness so far. The child's mitochondria have been tested and less than 1 percent carries the mutation, believed to be too low a level to lead to disease.

Sian Harding, a medical professor and bioethics adviser who reviewed the ethics of the technique in the United Kingdom, told New Scientist the case seems to have been handled according to ethical standards.

The U.K. recently approved the procedure despite heated protests against it from people citing concerns about "designer babies" and "playing God."

Leading churches in Britain, both Protestant and Catholic, oppose the procedure on religious and ethical grounds.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Watch: Nail-Biting Moment Woman Falls on Subway Tracks, Hero NYPD Cops Save Her Just in Time

'Biden's Border Crisis': Shocking Numbers in Senate Republicans' Report Detailing the Disaster at America's Southern Border

Sneaky Joe's New Plan to Steal the Midterms

Supreme Court Rules Republican Lawmakers Can Defend North Carolina's Voter Integrity Laws

Crisis Pregnancy Center President Stands Firm in Face of Vandalism and Threats

Alveda King: Dobbs Case Decision Will Save Lives; 'Civil Rights Begin in the Womb'

Historic: Supreme Court of United States Officially Overturns 'Roe v. Wade'

'Share the Love of Christ': Louisiana Church Gives Away 200 Free Gas Cards as Price at the Pump Soars

Chevron CEO Fires Back at Biden, Slams 'Political Rhetoric' in New Letter

Abortion Disproportionately Targets Black Babies; CDC: 74% of Abortions in Mississippi Were Performed on Black Mothers

Louisiana's Democratic Governor Signs Pro-Life Law Criminalizing Mail-Order Abortion Pills

A New Opportunity for Sweet Cakes' Kleins, as Their Legal Battle Continues: 'God Is the Rock We Stand On, His Love Will Conquer All Fears'

Parent of 'De-Transitioned' Child Gives HEARTBREAKING Plea to Stop Trans Sanctuary Bill

US Supreme Court Upholds Concealed-Carry Right of Self-Defense for Law-Abiding Citizens

Hundreds of Female Inmates Baptized as 'God Behind Bars' Ministry Shares the Redeeming Power of Jesus

'This Is Not My Dad': Hero Mom Outside Florida Church Saves Two Kids from Alleged Kidnapping

Biden Administration Caves to Environmental Groups, Delays Oil and Gas Lease Sales Again

Biden Administration to Force Schools to Adopt Radical Gender Policies; Here's What You Need to Know

Faith Leaders, Members of Congress Demand US AG Respond to Acts of Pro-Abortion Terrorism

Texas GOP Platform Affirms 'God's Biblical Design for Marriage' and the Sanctity of Life; Says Gay Marriage Decision 'Should Be Nullified'