According to current law in Switzerland, donated sperm cells may only be used by heterosexual married couples. Single persons and lesbian couples are excluded from sperm donation (Art. 3 Abs. 3 of the Reproductive Medicine Act, RMA). Egg donation and surrogacy are prohibited under current Swiss law (Art. 119 Abs. 2 lit. d of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation; Art. 4 RMA ).
However, the desire to have a child and start a family is a legitimate aim and a legitimate right of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and marital status. Pluralisation of lifestyles, globalisation of society and progress in reproductive medicine therefore call for new concepts and a change in family law.
The National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics (NCE) also demands the adaptation of child law and no longer considers the normative effect of nature (every child has a father and a mother) to be irreversible. In a pluralistic society, diversity and different opinions should be possible. The state should interfere as little as possible in the private life of the individual.
Factsheet Reproductive medicine in Switzerland
Opinion of the National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics (NCE) of November 2013
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