Case Study on Moral Status
Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and the required topic Resources, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:
What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the United States for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant.
Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted, and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome.
Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud.
Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears.
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Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother.
Case Study on Moral Status
Fetal abnormality is a case of an expectant immigrant whose unborn child has an abnormality that is likely to be Down syndrome. At the center of the case is Jessica, who is expectant, her family and the doctor, both of whom hold varied perspectives on what needs to be done to the pregnancy. This paper attempts to identify a theory that is compatible with each of their viewpoints. In light with this case study, it is important for one to establish a moral position so as to accurately comprehend the concepts in the case study. A being holds the moral status if it holds the status that it should not be harmed, disrespected or treated in an inhumane way (Lee, 2015).
The Christian view of the nature of human persons
The Christian worldview is the perception that God is the supreme being and the creator of both heaven and earth and he has control over His creation. In the biblical perspective, it is written that man was created in the image and likeness of God and this reveals the symbolic relationship between man and God (Sayari et al., 2019). According to the book of Genesis, during the creation account, God created man in his image and placed him in the garden of Eden. Alongside man, God created other living things such as plants and animals for the sake of man and gave man the power to control all other creatures as well as to take good care of them. Besides god creating all things on earth, sin was also created. Man, after sinning, he was to die, spiritual death. With the fall of man, Jesus came to rescue humanity from God’s hunger and therefore, as Christians, we believe that Jesus died for our sins.
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Theory of Moral Status compatible with the Christian view of the nature of human persons
One theory of moral status that is compatible with the Christian worldview is the personhood theory. The personhood theory is special theory that gives a systematic attribute of the qualities that define human beings and hence assigns individuals who possess the values to lead a valuable life (Lee, 2004). Some of the attributes that are associated to personhood include consciousness, capacity for verbal communication, rationality and self-consciousness. These specific attributes help to distinguish personhood.
Its relation to the intrinsic human value and dignity
The personhood theory has a direct relationship to the intrinsic human value and dignity on the basis that every person has the value to exist. Based on the fact that all human beings are inherently created by God, then human dignity is by default a quality in al human beings. With the concept in mind, it then translates to the fact that all human beings regardless of race, gender, age and physical status ought to be treated with due respect. According to Mitchell, (2014) it should also be understood that based on how a person perceives or understand human dignity influences how they address some of the moral, ethical and bioethical issues in the day to day life. Human dignity should therefore be used as a reference for treating other people with respect and in a humane way.
Theory Determination and Influence on the moral status of the fetus
The theory of personhood has been used by all the people involved in the case study of fetal abnormality. There are two distinct groups based on the perception of the unborn in this case. The doctor and Marco hold the perspective that hums life begins after birth while Jessica and Maria hold the concept that life begins at conception. According to Maria and Jessica, all forms of life including the unborn must be treated with dignity and above all respected as human beings. Marco for instance attempts to widen his perceptions into the future of the child and tries to imagine the suffering the baby might go through because they might not be in a position to adequately take care of the child. Jessica on the other hand is overwhelmed by the pressure from the doctor to do an abortion, which paints an unethical picture from the doctor. If the doctor upheld the principles of ethics, he should give Jessica, all possible options and allow her to choose what is best for her and not force anything on her.
Recommendation for Action
The case study presents a dilemma which is has tow options, both of which are difficult to choose from. For instance, the doctor and Marco do not want the child to undergo unnecessary suffering in future which will affect the quality of life. Jessica and Maria on the other hand feel that there is need to keep the child based on their Christian believes on the dignity of human life. The mother should therefore be given all possible options to choose what is suitable for her.
Conclusion
For this case study, I strongly feel that even though the child meets some of the qualities described in the personhood theory, it is also important to consider the rights of the mother when making a decision because the right of the mother will be of more importance in the event of competing interests. For instance, it will be ideal to consider the interest of the pregnant woman over the dignity of life for the fetus. However, it is essential to allow the mother make an informed decision concerning her pregnancy.
References
Lee, P. (2004). A Christian philosopher’s view of recent directions in the abortion debate. Christian Bioethics, 10(1), 7-32.
Lee, P. (2015). Moral status and the margins of human life. The American Journal of Jurisprudence, 60(1), 105-120.
Mitchell, C. B. (2014). Human dignity: a first principle. Ethics & Medicine, 30(3), 133.. Human dignity: a first principle. Ethics & Medicine, 30(3), 133.
Sayari, S., Mamat, M. Z., & Hasbullah, M. (2019). Image of God and Image of Human Being: A Philosophical Investigation of the God-Human and Human-Machine Relationships. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(3), 170-170.