Medical advances have made it possible for more people to have children using various forms of assisted reproduction. Changes in the law have made it possible for more groups - such as couples with two women and single women - to receive help to become pregnant.
But now further changes are needed, according to the Swedish Medical Ethics Council (Smer), which has reviewed the situation.
Among other things, Smer wants to raise the issue of the appropriate age limit for IVF treatment.
We tend to live longer and have children later. We believe that an individual assessment should be made rather than fixed age limits. With the help of technology, even older women can become pregnant, for example through egg donation or with their own previously frozen eggs, says Sven-Eric Söder, chairman of Smer.
No to commercial surrogacy
Smer raises several issues in its new report. One is surrogacy, where a woman carries the child for those who want to become parents. It is not allowed in Sweden today, and the council members agree that commercial surrogacy should not be permitted.
However, opinions differ regarding altruistic surrogacy, that is, when a woman voluntarily carries someone else's child without financial gain. Some believe that the issue should be investigated, while other parts of the council are against it.
But people can now turn to other countries where surrogacy is permitted. In some cases, problems arise in getting parentage established. We want to change that. The child's rights come first, and when it comes to Sweden it should not end up in limbo, says Sven-Eric Söder.
Mature enough
Another burning question is to what extent prospective parents should be able to choose an embryo. Today, it is permitted to examine the genes of fertilized eggs if one of the parents carries a serious genetic disease. But in the US, for example, there are companies that market the possibility of choosing fertilized eggs based on predispositions for intelligence and other traits. This technology is called PGT.
Designer babies are not something we want to see. It's about what kind of society we want, says Sven-Eric Söder.
Some same-sex couples and single people today choose to become parents outside of care through agreements with friends, for example. Under Swedish law, only two people can be guardians. A majority of the council suggests that the issue of more than two guardians be investigated.
Petra Hedbom/TT
Facts: Smer on assisted reproduction
TT
The report contains several recommendations for changes in legislation, policy and practice. Some of these are:
That under certain circumstances it should be permissible to use gametes and fertilized eggs from deceased individuals.
That a survey be conducted of how preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is used in Sweden.
That information about a gamete donor's medical history should be able to be provided after the child's birth.
That the regulations regarding the right to dispose of gametes and fertilized eggs be clarified.
That consumer protection is strengthened and that the National Board of Health and Welfare follows developments regarding the services offered within fertility care and provides clear patient information about treatments, risks and success rates.
The report is aimed at the government and parliament, but is also intended to stimulate debate.
Source: State Medical Ethics Council
