Baby Born from Embryo Frozen for Over 30 Years Sets Record

A baby boy born last week in Ohio has made history as the result of the longest-stored frozen embryo, believed to have been in storage for 31 years and 11,148 days. Lindsey and Tim Pierce welcomed their son after using donated embryos frozen since 1994, marking a milestone in reproductive science.
The embryos were donated by Linda Archerd, a 62-year-old woman who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 1994 but later faced personal challenges, including divorce, that prevented her from using them. Archerd turned to Snowflakes, a Christian adoption agency, to find a family for her embryos. After years of uncertainty, the embryos were transferred to the Pierces, who had struggled with infertility.
Dr. John David Gordon, the Pierces' doctor, confirmed the record, noting that the previous longest-storage birth involved embryos frozen for 30 years. Gordon emphasized the emotional and ethical significance of embryo adoption, which has gained traction among Christian advocates who oppose discarding unused embryos.
While embryo adoption remains rare, with only about 2% of U.S. births resulting from IVF and a smaller fraction involving donated embryos, the case highlights the growing debate over the fate of frozen embryos. A 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision granting embryos the legal status of children has added complexity to the issue, though temporary solutions have been implemented to address liability concerns.
For Archerd, the donation process has been deeply emotional, blending relief and sadness as she awaits the possibility of meeting the Pierce family and their son. "I'm hoping that they're going to send pictures," she said, noting that the parents have already shared several.
The Pierces expressed gratitude for the clinic's support, stating that they never sought to set a record but simply wanted to have a child. Their story underscores the potential of embryo adoption to bring new life to embryos that might otherwise remain in storage indefinitely.

Published: 8/2/2025