Swiss committee backs assisted reproduction rights for single women

A Swiss parliamentary committee has backed plans to let single women use assisted reproduction. The move would change current laws that only allow couples to access such treatments. If approved, the proposal could lead to a formal amendment of the Reproductive Medicine Act.

The National Council's Science, Education, and Culture Committee (WBK-N) voted 14 to 11 in favour of the change. Under existing rules, reproductive medicine is limited to couples who plan to raise a child together. Single women who want a child must currently travel abroad for treatment.

The committee's decision aligns with a long-standing recommendation from the National Ethics Commission. It also includes a call for single individuals to have access to donated sperm. However, surrogacy would remain banned under the proposed changes.

Next, the sister committee in the Council of States will review the plan. If both committees agree, they can draft a legislative proposal. A revision of the federal constitution may also be required to implement the amendment.

No cantons have yet taken a public stance on the issue.

The proposal would mark a significant shift in Swiss reproductive law. If passed, single women could access assisted reproduction within the country for the first time. The next steps depend on approval from the Council of States and potential constitutional changes.