An East Tennessee baby made history after being born from a 27-year-old embryo, according to WMBF News .
Molly Everette Gibson was frozen as an embryo for more than 27 years before being born to her parents, Tina and Ben Gibson.
Molly was frozen on Oct. 14, 1992, then thawed by National Embryo Donation Center Lab Director & Embryologist Carol Sommerfelt on Feb. 10, 2020 and transferred to Tina’s uterus two days later by NEDC President & Medical Director Dr. Jeffrey Keenan.
Twenty-seven years broke a record for the longest time an embryo had been frozen before birth.
The previous record was Molly’s sister, Emma Wren Gibson, who was frozen as an embryo for 24 years.
“I think this is proof positive that no embryo should ever be discarded, certainly not because it is ‘old’!” said Keenan.
“This is also a testament to the excellent embryology work of Carol Sommerfelt. She is perhaps the preeminent embryologist in the country when it comes to thawing frozen embryos. And of course, it’s a testament to how good God is, and to His infinite goodness and love.”
Molly and Emma are full genetic siblings.
“When Tina and Ben returned for their sibling transfer, I was thrilled that the remaining two embryos from the donor that resulted in Emma Wren’s birth survived the thaw and developed into two very good quality embryos for their transfer,” said Sommerfelt.
“It was even more thrilling to learn 11 days later that Tina was pregnant. I rejoiced with Tina and Ben as we all anxiously waited for the arrival of their second child.”
Embryos have been donated to the NEDC from all over the United States and couples have travelled to Knoxville, Tenn., from all over the world for embryo transfers.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
