Natural law pertains to doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.

It presupposes that every actions of human beings are guided by our reason. As generally understood, natural and good things are the main basis of considering what is morally right and just. On the contrary, Natural law is not always literally understood as what is natural is morally correct and what is unnatural is morally wrong. Natural Law theory supports doing unnatural deeds such as surgery for the sake of realizing a restoration of health and prolongation of human life which are consistent with the natural drives of organism and that is survival. (Sullivan and Pecorino) Such unnatural act is valid for as long as the end of it is for the purpose of achieving greater happiness. Natural Law theory embodies what is moral and just. Morals serves as the social conscience with the primary objective of helping men achieve happiness. With regards to engaging into surrogacy for example, the fact that it is prohibited under the Philippine laws does not apparently mean that such activity is against morality. Surrogacy is for the purpose of achieving happiness in favor of those spouses who could not bear a child. Even though such practice is unusual and not simply natural acts which an ordinary men in the past decades could think of as a remedy for having biological defects which incapacitates one to bear a child, still it can be considered to be consistent with the natural drive of attaining happiness specifically in favor of the spouses.

Humans have a natural drive to attain and achieve what they think could make them happy and as to what they think could give them a perfect life. (Sullivan and Pecorino) These actions are in accord with natural law and are morally correct in order for each and everyone to live in accordance with fulfillment and happiness based on what they are hoping for. Natural Law theory posits that every individuals actions must be guided by reason which is doing what is

right and avoiding what is wrong. The mainstream of Natural Law theory is intended by using the word natural which means the requirement of reason. St. Thomas Aquinas is particularly clear and explicit that in this context, natural is predicated of something only when and because that of which is predicated is in line with reason, practical reason or practical reasons requirement. (Finnis)

In case of surrogacy, parents who could not procreate by their own natural way would really tend to resort into an alternative remedy in order for them to bear a child. There is nothing immoral and unreasonable in engaging into such activity since the purpose and main motive of doing it is for the sake of fulfilling the desires of every couples or spouses to have their own offspring out of their own sperm and egg, what makes it only unusual is that the conception and its development happens inside another womans womb. This is guided by the practical reason to procreate through the use of other available and valid means.

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, natural law is nothing else than the rational creatures participation in the eternal law. The eternal law which he refers is Gods wisdom to give existence to creatures by ordaining and directing them to an end. ( Knight, Kevin) The basic end of marriage is procreation under the Civil Code of the Philippines.(Sta. Maria) Sad to say, not all couples are blessed to procreate on their own natural way. Others would end up resorting to adoption which is legally accepted. Other couples however, seek to engage in surrogacy but this is only allowed abroad and is prohibited under the eyes of the Philippine law . The fact that adopting non-related persons or minors does not involve any flesh and blood relationship between the adopter and the adopted is legally accepted, then why not allow surrogacy

specifically gestational surrogacy wherein flesh and blood relationship is more apparent between the baby or the child with that of the real and natural parents. Morally speaking, theres nothing wrong with such practice since the common end for engaging into surrogacy is in order for the couples to have a child which are genetically linked to the couple, and nothing more. Immorality only come into consideration when the practice of surrogacy is not regulated nor subject to restrictions such as using it for commercial and profit making purposes by surrogate mothers. Then in this case it can now be construed that it is no longer guided by reason and morality. Since as discussed above that surrogacy, specifically pertaining to the gestational surrogacy is in accordance with and is not repugnant nor in violation of the Natural Law Theory, then theres no reason why it should not be allowed.

1. ETHICS Chapter 7.Deantological Theories: Natural Law By Stephen O. Sullivan and Philip A. Pecorino , 2002 www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/ethics_text/chapter_7_deantological_theories_natur al_law/Natural_law_Theory.htm

2. Natural Law Theories By John Finnis, 2011 www.plato.stanford.edu/entries/natural_law_theories/

3. Article: New Advent Title: Natural Law Kevin Knight, 2009 www.newadvent.org/cathen/09076a.htm

4. Persons and Family Relations Melencio S. Sta. Maria , Jr. 2010 Page 401