The Swedish Medical Ethical Council (Smer) is advocating for legislative changes to permit more than two individuals to be recognized as legal parents, as well as to remove the existing age limit of 40 for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The Council argues that advancements in fertility technology have enabled a wider variety of family structures to conceive children through assisted reproduction, including couples with two women and single women. They believe these changes are necessary to provide equal opportunities for all potential parents and to address contemporary social dynamics.

Moreover, Smer emphasizes the need for a flexible approach regarding age limits for IVF procedures. They recognize that people are living longer and often choose to have children later in life, which warrants a shift from strict age restrictions to more personalized assessments based on individual circumstances. With the advancement of medical technologies, even older individuals, especially women through egg donation, can successfully conceive, thus necessitating a legal framework that reflects these medical realities.

This initiative by Smer comes amid a growing conversation about family diversity and the rights of various family models in Sweden. As societal attitudes evolve, such regulatory adjustments could foster inclusivity and support a broader definition of what it means to be a family in today's context.