Assessment Description
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.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
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Attachments
PHI-413V-RS-T2CaseStudyFetalAbnor: PLEASE FIND BELOW DETAILS OF THE CASE STUDY TO BE USED IN WRITING THE ASSINMENT.THANKS!
© 2020. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.Case Study: Fetal AbnormalityJessica 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 Marias 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.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 œscientifically 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
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Case Study on Moral Status
Introduction
Abortion remains a topic of controversy in health care all over the world. People hold varied beliefs and values regarding abortion. While some people are against abortion and others support it, some individuals argue that it is neither right nor wrong (Moses, 2021). They argue that the good or bad side of abortion is judged by the context under which it is performed. The difference in the perspective of abortion is reflected in the case study. The doctor’s perspective differs from that of Jessica and her Aunt. However, Jessica will have to make proper decisions regarding her condition. this paper looks into different worldviews and theories that might influence Jessica’s decision.
Christian worldview of the nature of human persons and theory of moral status that is compatible with
The Christian worldview of the nature of human persons promotes the idea of intrinsic value and dignity of people. According to the Christian worldview, humans are created in the image of God (Nipkow, 2018). People should be treated with love, respect, and dignity because they are the perfect work of God and were created in the Image of God. All human beings are equal, therefore, there is no life that is more important than the other. The Christian worldview has the belief that no one should take life because it is a divine gift given to everyone on earth (Nipkow, 2018). Human beings interact together in understanding, love, respect, and dignity. The virtue theory of moral status is to a greater extent compatible with the Christian worldview of the nature of persons. The theory states that the right thing to do in a particular situation is what a good or virtuous person would do (O’Mathúna et al., 2018). This theory promotes love, dignity, and respect for everyone.
Theories used by various individuals in the case study
Doctor Wilson
Based on his perspective of the problem and remedies proposed by him, Dr. Wilson seems to be using scientism theory to make his decisions. Dr. Wilson argues that the scientific results showed abnormalities in the unborn child, including a possibility of Down’s syndrome (Stenmark, 2017). This illness would lead to fatal disability, leading to further problems for the baby and the parents. According to science, abortion is the best remedy to save the baby and the mother from suffering (Stenmark, 2017). Followers of scientism believe that only science is the real source of knowledge. Scientism is based on the notion that only science can provide a rational explanation of a phenomenon.
Aunt Maria
Maria on the other hand uses the Cristian worldview to judge the situation. Maria believes that only God can provide solutions, therefore, everything should be done according to his will (Nipkow, 2018). She believes in a miraculous God who can change the situation. She believes that abortion is a way of taking away life, therefore, not right before God. Aunt Maria is against the doctor’s advice to consider abortion as a responsible medical alternative.
Marco
Marco takes a different path from the two individuals above. He seems to be using the theory of materialism to judge the situation, as well as make decisions. Marco seems so terrified about their financial future (O’Mathúna et al., 2018). The followers of materialism believe in material things that have the highest value in life. They believe that people cannot live to the full expectation without materials. If the baby is born, the illness and disability will cause financial constraints. He is wondering where he will receive the much money needed to sustain the baby. Marco is most likely to support abortion because the baby if born alive, could be a barrier to their financial endeavors.
Jessica
Jessica is undecided and experiences the dilemma to choose between abortion or normal birth. It would be right to say that Jessica is using the blended theories of Materialism and Christian worldview to help her make decisions. She holds both the belief or theory of materialism as well as the Christian worldview (Nipkow, 2018). While Jessica is having the same thoughts as Marco, that keeping the baby will result in financial constraints, she also feels guilty about accepting abortion because it is against her Christian belief. Jessica also believes that life is God-given and should not be taken away because it is sacred (Nipkow, 2018). Jessica’s worldview is influenced by dualism, which is a conflict between biblical and scientific values.
Personal Perspective
The theory applies differently in various contexts, hence, a theory may be rejected in one situation and accepted in the other. In this particular situation, scientism would be the best theory for Jessica to consider (Stenmark, 2017). Scientific procedures, such as ultrasound, provide accurate diagnoses and are capable of detecting any abnormality. Since the life of the baby would be miserable having an abortion would be appropriate as recommended by the doctor (Stenmark, 2017). Although disabled people are great human beings and have intrinsic value and human dignity, extreme disability can be hurting and diminishing.
Conclusion
Abortion is still a controversial area in healthcare. It is allowed only in specific situations such as when the mother’s life is at risk or when the baby has an extreme disability. However, the decision to have an abortion is made exclusively by the mother. The kind of belief individuals hold will influence their decision to have or not have an abortion.
References
O’Mathúna, D. P., Dranseika, V., & Gordijn, B. (2018). Disasters: core concepts and ethical theories (p. 244). Springer Nature.
Moses, S. (2021). Abortion and the Christian Tradition: A Pro-Choice Theological Ethic by Margaret Kamitsuka. Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, 41(2), 397-398. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/846426/summary
Nipkow, K. E. (2018). God, human nature and education for peace: New approaches to moral and religious maturity. Routledge.
Stenmark, M. (2017). Scientism: Science, ethics and religion. London: Routledge.