A baby girl has been born in Knoxville, Tennessee, from an embryo that was frozen 24 years ago. Her name is Emma Wren Gibson. The embryo was frozen in 1992, and now, in 2018, it has become a healthy baby. The mother, Tina Gibson, is 25 years old, which makes her only one year older than the embryo. This is the longest time any frozen embryo has been successfully used to create a baby.

Many couples choose to donate their frozen embryos to special centres. These centres help other people who want to use the embryos to try to have their own babies. The donated embryos give hope to couples who cannot have children on their own.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible”

Audrey Hepburn

Can Frozen Embryos Grow Into Babies?

Doctors say that frozen embryos can develop just as well as fresh ones. However, there is a risk when the embryos are thawed. The process of warming the frozen embryos is tricky, and not all embryos survive this. Around 75% of frozen embryos survive the thawing process. Still, health experts say that there may be up to a million frozen embryos in the United States today.

"Frozen embryos can develop just as well as fresh ones. However, there is a risk when the embryos are thawed". Doctors

Frozen embryos can remain in storage for many years, and there are increasing numbers of people who are using embryos frozen for long periods. According to experts, embryos can be safely stored for decades without losing their potential to develop into healthy babies. The longest-frozen embryos used to result in a successful pregnancy were typically stored for around 20 years. But the case of Emma Wren Gibson has now surpassed that, proving that embryos can remain viable even after many years of being frozen.

The Role of Donated Embryos in Building Families

Frozen embryos are not only used by the families who created them but are also often donated to others in need. Couples who have extra embryos after their IVF treatments may choose to donate them to a fertility clinic, where they can be used by other families trying to have children. Embryo donation has become a common practice, allowing more families to experience the joys of parenthood.

The use of donated embryos can also be seen as a form of adoption, as the child is carried and raised by a mother who is not biologically related to the embryo. However, unlike traditional adoption, the child grows inside the adoptive mother’s womb. This option is particularly helpful for women who are unable to produce their own eggs or for couples who want to avoid the genetic challenges of using one of their own embryos.

Emma Wren Gibson's birth is a powerful reminder of how modern science can provide hope for families. It shows that frozen embryos can remain viable for many years, and thanks to advancements in IVF technology, even embryos frozen decades ago can help create new lives. This story is a testament to the potential of reproductive medicine and offers new possibilities for people wanting to build their families.

Vocabulary List:

1. Embryo (noun) –  A very early stage of human development, before birth.
   • Example: Emma Wren Gibson was born from an embryo that had been frozen for 24 years.
2. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) (noun) –  A method of assisted reproduction in which eggs are fertilised outside the body and then implanted into the woman’s womb.
   • Example: The Gibsons used IVF to help them have a baby after struggling with infertility.
3. Thawing (noun) –   The process of warming frozen embryos to make them usable again.
   • Example: Thawing the frozen embryos was an important step in the process of helping the Gibsons have a child.
4. Donate (verb) –  To give something to help others.
   • Example: The Gibsons donated their extra embryos to help another family have a baby.
5. Adoption (noun) –  The legal process of taking care of a child who is not your own by birth.
   • Example: Using a frozen embryo is similar to adoption because the baby grows inside the mother who will raise the child.
6. Survive (verb) –  To stay alive or continue to exist after something difficult or dangerous happens.
   • Example: Only about 75% of frozen embryos survive the thawing process.
7. Centre (noun) –  A place where something is done or where services are provided.
   • Example: The embryos were stored in a special centre where they could be kept safely.
8. Fertilise (verb) –  To combine an egg and sperm so that a baby can begin to grow.
   • Example: CThe doctor fertilised the eggs outside the body in the IVF procedure.
9. Leftover (noun) –  Something that is remaining after the rest has been used.
   • Example: After the IVF procedure, the Gibsons had leftover embryos that they decided to freeze.

Discussion Questions and Topics:

1. How long was the embryo frozen before it was thawed and used to create Emma Wren Gibson?
2. Where was the embryo stored before it was used for implantation?
3. What is the process called that is used to freeze and store embryos for future use?
4. How many years did the Gibsons wait before successfully using their frozen embryo to have Emma?
5. What does the article suggest about the viability of frozen embryos, even after many years of storage?
6. Would you agree with using frozen embryos to start a family?
   • Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you learned that your biological age was different from your actual age (for example, if you were the same age as your mother when you were born)?
8. Do you think it’s important for people to understand the science behind fertility treatments like IVF before they use them?
9. If you were given the chance to donate your unused embryos to help another family, would you do so?
   • Why or why not?