Remarkable Infant Born from Oldest Previously Attempted Embryo, Setting a New Record
In the realm of assisted reproduction, a unique and faith-based approach is gaining attention — Christian embryo adoption. This process, which offers frozen embryos left over from IVF treatments a chance at life and a family, is viewed by some Christian groups as a way to respect and defend human life.
John Gordon, a Christian IVF doctor, set up the Rejoice Fertility Clinic with the aim of reducing the number of embryos in storage worldwide. Millions of embryos are estimated to be stored in freezers, leftover from IVF procedures.
For Linda, a Christian woman, embryo adoption was the path she chose. She opted for this process through Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Couples interested in embryo adoption typically work with organizations or agencies that facilitate matching donors and recipients, such as the Snowflakes Adoption Agency. Both donor and recipient families can have a say in the matching process.
The embryos remain frozen in liquid nitrogen storage until transferred to the adoptive mother's uterus for implantation and pregnancy. Notably, cases of births from embryos over 30 years old have been reported, with media coverage highlighting babies born from embryos frozen for that length of time. This longevity shows that embryos can remain viable for many decades when properly cryopreserved.
However, the overall frequency of births from such long-frozen embryos is relatively rare but increasing as cryopreservation and embryo adoption become more common. One such success story involves Lindsey and Tim Pierce, who received embryos and welcomed Thaddeus into their family. Thaddeus resembles Linda's daughter when he was a baby.
Before Thaddeus, babies had been born from embryos that were 27 and 30 years old. Such cases are rare due to few organizations being willing to take on old embryos. The embryos were placed with Lindsey and Tim Pierce, who met Linda's criteria.
The practice of Christian embryo adoption is not without ethical considerations and theological debates. Some Christian voices emphasize that embryo adoption should be approached with careful ethical reflection, warning against viewing embryos solely as commodities or moral dilemmas. Instead, they call for recognizing the dignity of these embryos, while also critiquing the very creation of surplus embryos through IVF from a theological perspective.
This highlights ongoing debate within the Christian community about the moral implications of embryo adoption and IVF. As the practice continues to evolve, it serves as a testament to the potential of life and the importance of respecting the dignity of all human life, from conception to birth and beyond.
The Rejoice Fertility Clinic, established by Christian IVF doctor John Gordon, supports health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise for intended parents, aiming to reduce the storage of embryos. Mental-health considerations are also significant for individuals who choose embryo adoption, such as Linda, who opted for this process through Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Nutritional care during pregnancy is crucial for the wellbeing of both the mother and the baby, including the case of Lindsey and Tim Pierce, who welcomed Thaddeus after receiving 30-year-old embryos, showcasing the potential of CBD-free cryopreservation technology.
