Faith-Driven IVF Clinic Rejects Embryo Disposal, Sparks National Debate
Dr John Gordon, once a conventional infertility specialist, now runs Rejoice Fertility—a clinic shaped by his Christian faith. His journey began after a personal crisis led him to conservative evangelical beliefs. Today, the clinic offers IVF treatments that avoid embryo disposal, genetic testing, or scientific donation.
The approach has drawn both national patients and sharp criticism from fellow Christians and anti-abortion activists. Gordon’s shift started when his oldest son fell seriously ill in third grade. The ordeal prompted a religious conversion, pulling him toward a conservative evangelical church. His wife later urged him to rethink his medical practice, arguing it clashed with their faith’s view of embryos as sacred.
In response, he bought a Knoxville practice and relaunched it as Rejoice Fertility. The clinic now limits embryo creation, avoids genetic screening, and refuses to discard viable ones. Treatments are tailored to each family’s desired size, often using lower medication doses to prevent surplus embryos.
Recently, Rejoice expanded with Rejoice Embryo Rescue—an ‘orphanage’ storing donated embryos and coordinating adoptions. The service aims to reduce the U.S. backlog of 1.5 million frozen embryos. Despite legal battles and backlash from Christians who oppose all IVF, Gordon remains committed. He plans to hire more doctors and grow the clinic’s reach.
Patients travel from across the country, drawn by Rejoice’s alignment with their religious values. Critics, however, argue that any IVF process is inherently unethical. Gordon acknowledges the challenges but insists he has no regrets about the clinic’s direction. Rejoice Fertility continues to attract families seeking faith-aligned IVF options. The clinic’s refusal to discard embryos or conduct genetic testing sets it apart in a contentious field. As Gordon expands his team, the debate over ethical fertility treatments is likely to persist.
