Record-Breaking Baby Born from Embryo Frozen for over 27 Years

Molly Everette Gibson

On October 26, 2020, Molly Everette Gibson was born in Tennessee. Her birth is special not only because Molly is a unique human being with intrinsic value, but because it marks a new record for the longest frozen embryo ever to be born. Molly serves as an example of how life starts at conception and explains why pro-lifers oppose the all-too-common destruction of embryos created for the sake of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Molly's birth was facilitated by the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC). After her embryo was frozen and preserved on Oct. 14, 1992, she was finally thawed after 27 years by NEDC Lab Director & Embryologist Carol Sommerfelt on Feb. 10, 2020. She was then successfully transferred to her mother Tina Gibson's uterus by NEDC President & Medical Director Dr. Jeffrey Keenan on Feb. 12, 2020.

Upon birth, Molly weighed 6lbs. 13 oz., and measured 19 inches long.

"I think this is proof positive that no embryo should ever be discarded, certainly not because it is 'old!'" said Dr. 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."

Sommefelt seconded Dr. Keenan's sentiment and commented on the power of technology we have today. "When Molly Everette was born on October 26, she was already 28 years old from the standpoint of the time the embryos had been frozen. This definitely reflects on the technology used all those years ago and its ability to preserve the embryos for future use under an indefinite time frame.  It also shows the reason the NEDC mission is so important, giving all donated embryos the best chance for life."

Molly broke the record held by her sister, Emma Gibson, whose embryo had been frozen for 24 years.

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