Overview

• Thaddeus, born July 26 in Ohio, is recognized by MIT Technology Review as the oldest known newborn from a cryopreserved embryo.
• The embryo was created in 1994 during Linda Archerd’s IVF treatment and remained in cryostorage for over three decades.
• After entering menopause, Archerd placed her surplus embryos for adoption through the Open Hearts program and chose Lindsey and Tim Pierce based on their cultural and religious alignment.
• The Pierces, who had tried to conceive for seven years, had the 30-year-old embryo implanted at a Tennessee clinic, resulting in a healthy boy named Thaddeus.
• This milestone prompted renewed discussions on the costs, legal frameworks and ethical considerations of long-term embryo storage and third-party adoption.