Surrogacy in the Philippine Context: Bane or Boon?

Abstract

Surrogacy is the procreative practice by which a woman gestates an embryo with which she has no biological connection for another person, eventually relinquishing the child to the other party. This practice involves financial remuneration for the surrogate mother depending on the agreed amount of both parties. The moral issue becomes more known and patronized by other countries, especially first-world countries. Some countries already legalized surrogacies with their parameters. Others are practicing it with their own norms and standards with precautionary measures. However in the Philippines, though dominantly Catholic, already been practiced surrogacy by some Filipinos due of poverty. They would try to give in thinking that it would alleviate them from poverty at their wombs expense. Some Filipinos who can afford the process chose other races. Though, the issue is not largely being discussed by the majority because it is prohibited in the said country. But in its subtle manner it is being performed. In this accord, a moral issue that challenges the authority of both Civil and Ecclesiastical not only in the Philippines but also in other countries will be on how to answer the problem morally. With this, it might be an attempt to consider in a wider perspective whether surrogacy is a gift -which means has a purpose to serve humanity or evil because of its immoral implication to humanity.