Switzerland

Switzerland Information Region Europe Population 7591400 GDP (millions USD) 423938 National Policies Eggs for assisted reproduction PROHIBITED Eggs for research ? Inheritable genetic modification PROHIBITED Preimplantation genetic diagnosis PROHIBITED Reproductive cloning PROHIBITED Research cloning PROHIBITED Sex selection PROHIBITED Surrogacy PROHIBITED International Agreements 1997 COE Biomedicine Convention signed 1998 COE Cloning Convention signed 2005 UN Cloning Vote YES 2005 UNESCO Sports Doping Convention not ratified 2007 Treaty of Lisbon not signed

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.