Sperm donation

Artificial insemination with sperm from a donor was the first medically assisted reproductive technique. It is a simple and effective technique that is considered in cases of male infertility or when a man risks passing on severe, incurable genetic disease. In addition, insemination with donor sperm is an option for women who want to have a child but who do not have a male partner.

Although the technique is simple and reliable, it raises a wide range of social, ethical and legal issues, such as distinguishing between genetic and legal parentage, the right to know who one's biological parents are and access to the technique for same-sex couples and single women.

The NCE has decided to address this issue as it poses numerous challenges at both individual and collective levels. The Commission is currently preparing an opinion on this subject.

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Last edition: 04.05.2022

Secretariat NCE
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National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics
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CH-3003 Bern

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