“Like a Sci-Fi Movie”: Baby Born from 30-Year-Old Frozen Embryo Sets World Record
In an extraordinary story that sounds like something straight out of science fiction, a baby boy has been born from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years, setting a new world record.
The child, Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, was welcomed by Lindsey (35) and Tim Pierce (34) from Ohio after years of struggling with infertility. Speaking to MIT Technology Review, Lindsey described the experience as “like something from a sci-fi movie.”
This remarkable birth surpasses the previous record set in 2022, when twins were born from embryos frozen since 1992.
From the 1990s to 2024: The Journey of an Embryo
The embryo was originally created in 1994 by Linda Archerd, now 62, during her IVF treatment with her then-husband. Out of the four embryos created at that time, one became her daughter, while the remaining three stayed in frozen storage for decades.
Despite her divorce, Archerd chose not to discard the embryos, donate them for research, or relinquish them anonymously. Instead, she carefully preserved them for years, paying thousands of dollars annually in storage fees. Eventually, she decided to place them through a Christian embryo adoption program called Snowflakes, run by Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
Unlike anonymous embryo donations, this programme allows donors to select the adoptive family based on criteria such as religion, race, and nationality. Archerd specified her wish for a married Caucasian Christian couple living in the United States. That’s how the embryos eventually found their way to the Pierces.
A Miracle, Not Just a Record
The transfer was carried out at Rejoice Fertility Clinic in Tennessee, which has a policy of attempting to transfer any viable embryo, regardless of age or condition.
While the Pierces never set out to break records, their dream of parenthood finally came true after seven years of waiting. Lindsey expressed, “We just wanted to have a baby,” highlighting the emotional journey behind the headlines.
Archerd, who has yet to meet the newborn, said she already sees a resemblance between Thaddeus and her own daughter from three decades ago, making the story even more extraordinary.
This groundbreaking birth highlights not only the possibilities of modern reproductive medicine but also the deeply personal stories behind embryo preservation and adoption.
At Pars Med Travel, we provide advanced fertility treatments including IVF, Surrogacy, and IUI in Iran, offering couples worldwide the chance to build their families with the support of leading medical experts.
FAQs
1. What is the longest time an embryo has been frozen before birth?
The current record is over 30 years, with the recent birth of Thaddeus Pierce from an embryo frozen since 1994.
2. How can an embryo survive for decades in storage?
Embryos are cryopreserved at extremely low temperatures using liquid nitrogen, which halts biological activity and allows them to remain viable for many years.
3. What is embryo adoption?
Embryo adoption is when unused embryos from IVF are donated to other couples, often through agencies that may allow donors to select adoptive families.
4. Does the age of an embryo affect the success of IVF?
Surprisingly, embryo age in storage has minimal impact if the freezing and thawing process is done correctly. Success depends more on embryo quality and the health of the recipient.
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