In July, the MIT Technology Review reported that the world’s “oldest baby”, Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, had been born after his embryo had been stored in a freezer for over 30 years. Thaddeus’ biological mother, Linda Archerd, had created four embryos in May 1994 amid her own infertility issues. One embryo, Thaddeus’ biological sister, was transferred to Linda’s uterus and born in early 1995. The other three embryos, including Thaddeus, remained in a freezer for the next 30 years.
Not wanting to see her embryos discarded or given for scientific research, Linda reached out to various embryo adoption agencies and eventually connected with the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption program of the Nightlight Christian Adoptions agency. It was through this program, specifically the Open Hearts program for embryos that are difficult to place due to age or other factors, that Lindsey and Tim Pierce, Thaddeus’ adopted parents, were informed about Linda’s embryos. With the help of Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Pierces were able to give Linda’s embryos a chance at life. From Linda’s three remaining embryos, one failed to grow after being thawed and the remaining two were transferred to Lindsey’s uterus on November 14, 2024 — 30 years and 6 months after they were created (when Lindsey and Tim were less than 6 years old) — and one, Thaddeus, developed into a fetus.
