Switzerland
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Key laws and policies
- Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (September 2001)
- Federal Act on Research on Surplus Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells (Embryonic Research Act) (November 2004)
- Federal Law on Genetic Testing (2004)
- Federal Law on Medically Assisted Reproduction (December 8, 1998) (http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/c810_11.html - RMA)
- The Reproductive Medicine Ordinance (http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/c810_112_2.html - RMO)
Prohibited practices
The Constitution and the Embryonic Research Act prohibit the following:
- Research cloning
- Reproductive cloning
- Producing an embryo for research purposes
- Producing stem cells from a research embryo
- Modifying the hereditary patrimony of germ cells
- Producing embryonic stem cells from an embryo whose germline was modified, or using such cells
- Creating a clone, chimera, or hybrid
- Producing embryonic stem cells from a clone, chimera or hybrid, or using such cells
- Developing a parthenote, producing embryonic stem cells from a parthenote, or using such cells
- Importing or exporting any of the embryos, clones, chimeras, hybrids, or parthenotes described
- Surrogacy
- Eggs for assisted reproduction
Permitted and regulated practices
Assisted Reproduction
- ART may be used only if a couple is unable to have children without help or if there is no other way of avoiding the risk of transmitting a serious incurable disease.
- Permitted practices include:
- Artificial insemination
- In vitro fertilization
- The preservation of reproductive cells
- Gamete transfer
- Only married couples may use donated sperm cells.
- ART should respect the child's best interests (and the future parents should be able to raise a child).
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is generally thought to be prohibited, but there are suggestions that the Federal Law on Genetic Testing may allow its use for medical reasons.[1]