Faith-Driven Fertility: Doctor Rewrites IVF Rules

Dr. John Gordon, a reproductive endocrinologist, has established Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville, Tennessee, to align his practice with his evolving Christian faith. For years, Gordon grappled with the ethical implications of IVF advancements, particularly the creation and disposal of surplus embryos. His new clinic, founded in 2018, does not discard viable embryos, perform genetic testing, or donate them, while also limiting the number created.

This approach caters to patients, like the Lichfield and D'Agostino families, who seek IVF treatment but hold deep religious convictions about the sanctity of embryos. Gordon's clinic, which sees patients nationwide, offers a faith-based alternative amidst a national debate on IVF prompted by legal decisions and religious denominations.

Gordon's personal journey involved a conversion experience that led him and his wife to embrace evangelical Christianity. The clinic operates with support from their church elders and employs staff who, like embryologist Sarah Coe Atkinson, may not share all of Gordon's beliefs but support the mission of helping embryos develop into lives. Rejoice recently facilitated a birth from an embryo frozen for nearly 31 years.

The clinic prioritizes minimizing embryo creation by tailoring treatments and offering cycles with less medication, resulting in fewer eggs. While this can lead to higher costs if multiple cycles are needed, many patients prefer this method due to their beliefs. For unused embryos, Gordon encourages adoption, with the clinic recently launching Rejoice Embryo Rescue to facilitate this.

Gordon's endeavor has faced challenges, including legal disputes with the previous clinic owner and criticism from some who believe any form of IVF is unethical. Despite these hurdles, Gordon intends to expand his practice, offering a prayer with patients before embryo transfers. In one recent success, a patient became pregnant following treatment at Rejoice.