30-year-old embryo leads to birth of world's oldest newborn
The embryo, originally created and frozen in 1994 through in vitro fertilization (IVF), was donated by Linda Archerd, who had conceived one child and preserved three remaining embryos in long-term storage. For decades, Archerd paid around $1,000 per year to keep the embryos frozen, holding on to hope that they would one day have a chance at life.
Archerd, a Christian, believed it was morally necessary to give the embryos a future. Despite being rejected by most adoption agencies due to their age, she eventually connected with a surrogate family through embryo adoption.
That family—Tim and Lindsey Pierce—had been trying to conceive for seven years without success. Turning to embryo adoption, Lindsey underwent a transfer of all three embryos. Two failed to develop, but one embryo survived the thawing and implantation process.
That single embryo is now Thaddeus David Pierce, born healthy in 2025. Despite technically being 30 years old, Thaddeus entered the world as a newborn, marking a new milestone in reproductive medicine.
The couple says their intent was not to set records, but simply to become parents. Their journey highlights how embryo preservation and adoption can offer new hope to families facing infertility.
In the same year, another medical record was broken—the youngest premature baby to survive birth over four months early, now thriving.
Thaddeus's story showcases both the power of medical innovation and the emotional strength of families who never give up on hope.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
07-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Ben Askren opens up about embracing Christianity after dying four times during 45-day coma
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has opened up about his harrowing health battle, revealing he experienced a profound transformation after dying four times during a 45-day coma. Askren, 41, was placed on life support after a severe staph infection led to multiple cardiac arrests and required a double lung transplant. In a video posted by Happy Punch, he confirmed that he flatlined four times and awoke from the coma with a new belief system. Ben Askren said he woke up from his 45-day coma, where he died four times, as a Christian after denying the religion for 15 years — Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 6, 2025 'I woke up and I started as a Christian. I hadn't gone with my wife to church for 15 years—that was part of the deal. I said, 'I'm not a Christian, but I will support you.' When I woke up, I knew I had to do it,' Askren said. The former Olympic wrestler spent 59 days in hospital and returned home following his recovery. However, his health challenges are ongoing. Askren was recently re-admitted to hospital due to concerns over a suspected chest tube infection. According to reports, he is currently being treated with antibiotics and undergoing further imaging to monitor his condition. Despite the setback, Askren remains optimistic. He acknowledged the ups and downs of healing, saying he hopes to be back home soon.
Express Tribune
03-08-2025
- Express Tribune
30-year-old embryo leads to birth of world's oldest newborn
A baby boy named Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, born in 2025, has made headlines as the world's oldest newborn—developed from an embryo that was frozen for 30 years. The embryo, originally created and frozen in 1994 through in vitro fertilization (IVF), was donated by Linda Archerd, who had conceived one child and preserved three remaining embryos in long-term storage. For decades, Archerd paid around $1,000 per year to keep the embryos frozen, holding on to hope that they would one day have a chance at life. Archerd, a Christian, believed it was morally necessary to give the embryos a future. Despite being rejected by most adoption agencies due to their age, she eventually connected with a surrogate family through embryo adoption. That family—Tim and Lindsey Pierce—had been trying to conceive for seven years without success. Turning to embryo adoption, Lindsey underwent a transfer of all three embryos. Two failed to develop, but one embryo survived the thawing and implantation process. That single embryo is now Thaddeus David Pierce, born healthy in 2025. Despite technically being 30 years old, Thaddeus entered the world as a newborn, marking a new milestone in reproductive medicine. The couple says their intent was not to set records, but simply to become parents. Their journey highlights how embryo preservation and adoption can offer new hope to families facing infertility. In the same year, another medical record was broken—the youngest premature baby to survive birth over four months early, now thriving. Thaddeus's story showcases both the power of medical innovation and the emotional strength of families who never give up on hope.
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Survivors of terrorism lack access to counselling
Located just 45 kilometers from the Afghan border, Peshawar has been in the grip of terrorism since the last 15 to 20 years, with thousands of people losing their lives and livelihoods to the war on terror. However, not a single rehabilitation center could be built in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to help victims of terrorism and their families to recover from their trauma. In 2009, Yasir Khan lost six members of his family in the horrific bomb blast in Peshawar's Pipal Mandi. "More than 15 years have passed since the incident, but even today, when a terrorist incident occurs, my mind goes into shock again for a few moments. Perhaps the trauma of that incident has been buried deep within me. About 150 people were killed in the blast while about 250 were injured. The survivors are suffering from post-traumatic stress, but they have not been able to access psychological help," said Khan. Likewise, in 2014, Arif Aqeel, a school teacher was badly injured in two suicide attacks at the All-Saints Church in Peshawar. Hailing from the Christian community, Arif lost one of his legs and a large chunk of his memory due to severe head injuries. Three years later, Arif's wounds could not heal, and he passed away. "First the shock of the explosion and then the death of Arif left a lasting impact on his wife and children. The family has not received counseling till date, due to which they are still suffering from psychological problems," shared Arif's brother-in-law, Augustine Jacob. Similarly, Sir Naeem Gulzar, who was injured in the Peshawar Qissa Khawani blasts twice, shared a poignant narration of what goes on in the mind of a survivor coping with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though ten years have passed since the tragedy, even today Gulzar is fearful of leaving the house and going to work. "Whenever I hear the sound of a vehicle, rickshaw, or a tyre bursting, I run away, thinking it is an explosion. Despite my efforts, I cannot get rid of the fear in my mind. My family has taken me to a psychiatrist twice, but it has not helped," shared Gulzar. Gulzar's experience is not an isolated case. With the alarming increase in terrorist activity over the past few years, more and more people directly impacted by extremist atrocities are stuck in a cycle of trauma. According to data obtained by The Express Tribune, in 2022, 200 incidents of terrorism were reported in K-P and the tribal areas, while in 2023, 560 incidents of terrorism occurred. In 2022, a total of 83 police officers and 96 soldiers were martyred, while in 2023, 167 police officers and 101 soldiers were killed. These incidents include the Peshawar Police Lines blast, the suicide attack on the Peshawar Kocha Risaldar Mosque and the explosion at a public meeting in Bajaur. In 2023, cases of terrorism witnessed a surge of about 70 per cent in K-P and the tribal areas, while 2024, saw a further 20 per cent increase in such incidents, with 630 incidents reported throughout the year. Talking about the impact of terrorism on the quality of life, Professor Dr Jamil Chitrali, Chairman of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Peshawar, revealed that in the past 20 years, 70,000 to 80,000 people have been killed in terrorist activity in Pakistan, out of which about 60,000 were civilians while 20,000 were personnel from the police, armed forces and other government agencies. "The APS attack, Pipal Mandi and Khyber Bazar blasts were such big tragedies that it seems that people in every street of Peshawar have experiences their trauma. Unfortunately, however, there are only 500 mental health professionals in the country for a population of over 240 million. Until or unless there is a district-level rehab center for victims of terrorism and their families, these people will continue to suffer from despair, depression and psychological problems," implored Dr Chitrali. Dr Uzma Ali, a clinical psychologist, told The Express Tribune that survivors of terrorism required clinical treatment and community support to deal with the post-traumatic stress disorder. "Furthermore, the families of such victims also need counseling. People going through trauma should be supported by family, and relevant institutions such as health, social welfare, and the district administration. These victims should be considered under the Victim Support Program, which could help them cope with their trauma," said Dr Ali.
