SMBC Lëtzebuerg attends the 20th anniversary of the CHL PMA service

This year, the medically assisted fertility (PMA) service at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) celebrates its 20th anniversary. As the only hospital in Luxembourg providing a full range of medically assisted fertility services, the milestone was an important moment to reflect on how fertility care has evolved in the country and on the ethical and social questions that accompany these developments. The PMA service at CHL is a starting point of many SMBC stories in Luxembourg.

Our association, SMBC Lëtzebuerg, was represented at the event by our president, who attended the presentations—with baby in tow. This small detail also reflects a reality many in our community know well: balancing engagement and advocacy with the daily life of raising a child as a solo mother by choice.

The anniversary event gathered healthcare professionals, researchers, as well as law- and policymakers. Notably, both the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice were present and remained well beyond their introductory remarks to attend the discussions. Their continued presence highlighted a genuine interest in the topic, likely connected to the ongoing work on developing Luxembourg’s first bioethics law—a legislative framework that will shape the future of medically assisted reproduction in the country.

During the first presentation, the PMA team at CHL provided an overview of the service’s development over the past two decades. They also discussed current practices and emerging trends in medically assisted reproduction. Importantly for our community, the team mentioned the growing use of donor sperm by single mothers by choice (SMBC), highlighting how this family model is becoming increasingly visible. As more and more families are formed in this way, greater support is needed to ensure the wellbeing of these families and to protect the rights of both parents and children.

The event also featured perspectives from international experts. A French physician and member of the French National Ethics Committee gave a presentation titled “Les limites éthiques d’accès à la PMA et les nouvelles parentalités”. The talk explored how access to medically assisted reproduction has expanded in recent years and how this evolution is linked to broader social changes and new family structures.

To round up the event a professor from Belgium made a presentation on the ethical questions surrounding the use of donor sperm. Among the topics discussed were the implications of direct-to-consumer DNA testing, which has made it easier for donor-conceived individuals to discover genetic relatives online. The presentation also addressed concerns around the use of sperm donors outside regulated systems, particularly through private donation arrangements found on the internet.

These discussions are also highly relevant for our community. At SMBC Lëtzebuerg asbl, we recognise that women considering solo motherhood may encounter different pathways to donor conception. While we remain open to the diversity of situations and personal choices, we believe that stronger and more harmonised regulations around sperm donation and donor-conceived children are increasingly important in today’s context.

As an association, we also see it as part of our role to provide balanced information to women who are exploring their options, including the differences between regulated sperm banks and private donor arrangements. By sharing reliable information on the potential benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of each pathway, we hope to support informed and thoughtful decision-making.

For SMBC Lëtzebuerg, the event was both encouraging and thought-provoking. It was positive to see our family model acknowledged in discussions about fertility care in Luxembourg. At the same time, the ethical and regulatory questions raised during the presentations highlight the importance of thoughtful policymaking—especially as the country prepares its first bioethics law.

As an association representing single mothers by choice and those considering this path, we hope to contribute to these conversations and to ensure that the perspectives and realities of our families are part of the dialogue about the future of reproductive medicine in Luxembourg.