Tennessee baby girl makes history after being born from an embryo that was frozen 27 years ago
The 27-year-old baby girl: Child conceived in 1992 makes history as the longest-frozen embryo to be born – stealing the title from her three-year-old sister
- Molly Everette Gibson was born on October 26 to her mom Tina Gibson
- Tina was only one year old when her daughter’s embryo was frozen back in 1992
- The embryo was thawed in February and transferred to her mom’s uterus, marking the longest time on record an embryo has been frozen before birth
- Molly beat her own sister’s existing record after Emma Wren Gibson was born in 2017 24 years after her embryo was frozen
- Emma was frozen the same day in 1992 and the two girls are full genetic siblings
A Tennessee baby girl has made history after being born from an embryo that was frozen 27 years ago.
Molly Everette Gibson was born on October 26 to her mom Tina Gibson, who was only one year old when her daughter’s embryo was frozen back in 1992.
The embryo was thawed in February and transferred to her mom’s uterus, marking the longest time on record an embryo has been frozen before a successful birth.
In a first show of sibling rivalry, Molly beat her own sister’s existing record after Emma Wren Gibson was born in 2017, 24 years after her embryo was frozen.
Tennessee baby girl Molly Everette Gibson has made history after being born from an embryo that was frozen 27 years ago. Pictured Molly photographed by Haleigh Crabtree Photography
Molly entered the world weighing a healthy 6 pounds 13 ounces in October to join mom Tina, dad Ben and sister Emma.
Her embryo had been frozen on October 14 1992 before being thawed by National Embryo Donation Center Lab Director & Embryologist Carol Sommerfelt on February 10 this year.
Her embryo was then implanted into Tina’s uterus by NEDC President & Medical Director Dr. Jeffrey Keenan two days later on February 12.
Molly grew to full term and was born on October 26, becoming the latest addition to the Gibson clan.
Until Molly’s birth, her three-year-old sister Emma was the previous record-holder for the longest frozen human embryo to result in a successful birth.
Emma’s embryo was frozen on the same day as her sister’s back in 1992 – about a year and a half after Tina was born – making the two girls full genetic siblings.
Her embryo was thawed in March 13 2017 and transferred into Tina’s uterus two days later.
Molly was born on October 26 to her mom Tina Gibson, who was only one year old when her daughter’s embryo was frozen back in 1992. Pictured Molly with mom Tina, dad Ben and sister Emma
Molly beat her own sister’s existing record after Emma Wren Gibson was born in 2017, 24 years after her embryo was frozen. Pictured the two sisters together
Emma was born on November 25 that year weighing 6 pounds and 8 ounces.
The Gibsons told ABC News at the time that they had been unsure about embryo donation when Tina’s father first suggested it as an option to them.
The couple said, after a while, they came around to the idea and visited the National Embryo Donation Center in Tennessee.
They looked through one-page profiles of prospective donors before selecting their preferred choice.
Sommerfelt said the fact the two sisters have both been born successfully shows the advancement of technology, reported Good Morning America Monday.
‘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.
‘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.’
The NEDC was set up in 2003 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is one of the leaders in embryo donation programs.
