Case Study on Moral Status Essay Paper

Based on \”Case Study: Fetal Abnormality\” and the required topic study materials, 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 study materials.

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.

Case Study on Moral Status

Part 1. 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?

Christianity presents a unique nature of human persons, explaining that every person was created by God. As creations of God who were made in the image of God, humans have some component of divinity. Humans are God’s representative in this world. In addition, God created everything in the known universe, and this was done in a purposeful manner that may only be known to God. As representatives of God in this world, humans must understand that their purpose is to take care of all God’s creations to include other humans.  Case Study on Moral Status Essay Paper To fulfill this purpose, human beings must understand and practice the principles of love, respect, compassion, fairness, empathy, and care. It is these principles that determine the standards of the interactions between human beings. This implies that human beings have an intrinsic value based on they are created in the image of God, have some divinity, and are representatives of God in this world (Clark, 2014).

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The theory of moral status most compatible with this Christian view of the nature of human persons is Kantian Ethics. This theory presents the idea that human dignity is inherent in every person irrespective of social standing. Simply being a human being implies that the person should expect basic human dignity. The theory is compatible with the Christian view because they both consider that being born human affords an individual some rights to include dignity and respect. The implication is that humans have an intrinsic value and have an obligation to treat others with dignity irrespective of the prevailing circumstances (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2015).

Part 2. 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?

The case details reveal that Jessica, Marco, Maria and Dr. Wilson present different ideas and thoughts on the moral status of the fetus thus indicating the application of different theories. A review of Jessica’s ideas and thoughts reveals that she is applying the Ethical Egoism Theory in which her primary concern is her personal interests. She is worried that the baby will place a strain on her financial resources, and could derail her aspirations to have greater financial security. She had not planned to have a baby and feels that terminating the pregnancy would be the best decision. Her desire to have financial security is guiding her decision about terminating the pregnancy and the moral status of the fetus. In applying Ethical Egoism Theory, Jessica perceives the fetus as a financial disaster that would hinder her efforts to achieve financial stability. This causes her to make the recommendation that the fetus should be terminated (Driver, 2013).

A review of Marco’s ideas and thoughts reveals that he is applying the Virtue Ethics Theory in which his primary concern is to avoid conflicts between parties involved in making the decisions, accommodate their views, and tend to follow the more popular opinion. He does not have his own notions of right and wrong, and instead adapts his ideas based on what others think. He is especially concerned with Jessica’s comfort and tends to focus on pleasing her. He is less concerned with the moral status of the fetus that he appears to perceive as not an important consideration when making the decision. In applying Virtue Ethics Theory, Marco seeks to support Jessica and makes decisions that support her (Besser-Jones & Slote, 2015).

A review of Maria’s ideas and thoughts reveals that she is applying the Divine Command Theory in which her primary concern is what God wants rather than what others want. Maria is spiritual and religious in nature, and believes that everything happens as part of God’s plan. She expresses the idea that Jessica is pregnant and this is part of God’s plan. She is against Jessica terminating the pregnancy and advices that there should be some prayer for God’s guidance before the decision can be made on whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. She understands that any decision made would be a grave one, and calls for a priest to guide the family in prayer. She believes that God would offer guidance on the right decision. Even as she awaits God’s guidance, she insists that the fetus has value and that life must be respected. In applying Devine Command Theory, Maria perceives the fetus as part of God’s plan and recommends that the family should engage in prayer to enable God guide them in making the right decision (Gensler, 2016).

A review of Dr. Wilson’s ideas and thoughts reveals that he is applying Kantian Ethics Theory in which her primary concern is to ensure that the decision made results in the most gains and fewer losses. His notion of right and wrong is based on cost-benefit analysis of the decision. He understands that although he is not actively engaged in making the decision, he has an important advisory role. He presents the family with truthful and comprehensive information to enable them make the best decisions. In applying Kantian Ethics Theory, Dr. Wilson adopts a rational approach and presents relevant and comprehensive information to enable the family make the right decisions (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2015).

Part 3. What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

Kantian Ethics Theory presents the best approach for guiding decisions in the case. The theory allows for rational decisions to be made after considering all the relevant information and available options. The theory allows each party to present his/her ideas and ensures that core principles in the ideas are incorporated into the decision. In the present case, Jessica want to terminate the pregnancy because a baby would threaten her financial stability, while Maria explains that terminating the pregnancy would be going against God. In applying Kantian Ethics Theory, a rational theory would be to have the baby and put it up for adoption so that Jessica’s financial security is not threatened and the pregnancy is not terminated (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2015).

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.

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 Essay Paper