According to the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program, a division of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, there are over 1 million embryos frozen in storage throughout the United States. The program works with fertility clinics throughout the U.S. to help people place remaining embryos with a family looking to adopt.
Nearly 2,000 people have donated their embryos through Snowflakes, and over 950 babies have been born to adoptive parents, according to the program’s website.
Nightlight Christian Adoption, which has offices in 10 states, launched Snowflakes and pioneered the embryo adoption program in 1997. The organization is the “oldest and most experienced embryo adoption agency in the world.” Through the Council on Accreditation, Nightlight became the only accredited embryo adoption agency in December 2021.
Kimberly Tyson, vice president of the Snowflakes program, told The Christian Post that around 30% of the people they work with had been referred by a fertility clinic. The program also reaches people through online marketing efforts.
Some, however, are critical of the practice due to its relation to IVF and the handling of excess embryos remaining from the process.
Kallie Fell, executive director for the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, is concerned about the potential ramifications of freezing embryos and whether the process is detrimental to them.
She fears the practice of unthawing embryos and transferring them into wombs is too experimental to be considered safe and ethical.