Case Study on Moral Status Paper Example

Each person has his or her own world view that has been developing over lifetime experiences and personal relationships. The levels of personal values, ethics and morals further defines our beliefs and who we are. The also dictates what we deem right or wrong in our individual life or professional life. Therefore, there are several resolutions and outcomes when we consider morals and ethics. Different people have a distinct mechanism of perceiving the world in terms of what is moral and not and therefore dictates their view on what is right or wrong (Gawron & Watson, 2017).

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The case of the "Fetal Abnormality" that involves Dr. Wilson, Aunt Maria, Marco, and Jessica will reveal the world views of fetal moral status at personal and professional levels. The four have varying opinions on what action to be employed depending on the various theories of moral standing. Jessica is in a dilemma; she is torn between her plight to be financially stable and her belief that there is value in life. Now, abortion is one of the most conflict-ridden moral matter that defines individuals right to one`s body and the right to life of the fetus (Watt, 2016). In this context, the decision-makers should consider the moral worth of the fetus as well. If we treat the fetus as human-being-to-be, then it deserves the right to live no matter the abnormalities. But if the human essence is missing in this case then, the moral of the fetus may be considered, and termination may be permitted. Aunt Maria in the Case Study is in line with Christian ethics which argues that fetuses are as morally valuable as human beings. In the view of Christian ethics, termination or abortion of the fetus will be considered as murder, and in the context, God will punish the accused. Christians argue that God created humans being in his likeness and thus every creation has a right to life.

Dr. Wilson and Marco exhibit utilitarianism theory which disrespects the moral status of an abnormal fetus as it will limit general happiness. According to them, the fetus can be terminated since it lacks moral standing. Jessica shows Kantian or deontological theories. Kantian ethics regards the connection between various roles and fetuses as humans.

Kantian ethics supports the Christian ethics that argues that fetus is human-to-be, and thus it deserves all the rights to life. Every person in the case study has a reason for his or her mindset. Marcos who appears to be utilitarian is focusing on the harmful consequences that would come along the abnormal fetus. He bases his argument on the economic rationale. Marcos thus believes that the financial constraints that the fetus would bring in the family render it morally worthless. The fetus in this case also has high chances to suffer from the consequences of its disability (Minkoff & Marshall, 2016). Therefore, due to the results of having an abnormal child, Marcos disregards the moral status of the fetus. He also indicates that he will support whatever his wife Jessica will decide. Here, he suggests the theory of feminism where a mother is at the center to make decisions over the life of the fetus. However, the only thing he did wrong is that he did not expose his wife to medications at earlier stages. Dr. Wilson is also a utilitarian, but his mindset differs from Marcos. He bases his argument on professional ethics. The doctor underscores the scientific nature of abortion. He doesn't believe that the fetus should be allowed to live given its physical disability and potential mental illness. According to him, the abnormal fetus cannot compare to human beings, and somewhat must be aborted to spare the consequences. His mindset here also resonates with virtue ethics theory, where Aristotle explained abortion would be permissible if it would flourish human`s life.

Aunt Maria is against the idea of the termination. She bases her argument that the moral status of the fetus should be viewed in terms of Jessica being a responsible mother. This links up to the theory of agency that is fundamental to relationships. According to the agency theory, no one has the rights to interfere with another person because they relate with them. For instance, in the case study, the relationship between Jessica and the fetus is enough to prevent her from aborting it. The agency theory also applies to the decision Jessica and Marcos will make since they are in a relationship; they should support each other in any decision they make. Again, the agency theory will also compel Dr. Wilson to respect the decision Marcos and Jessica are going to make.

Conclusion

Now, in this scenario, the person who is charged with the mandate to make a decision is Jessica. She can resolve to abort the child or respect her motherhood as Maria had hinted. However, it is apparent that if she gives birth to an abnormal child, then the socioeconomic balance of their family is going to be compromised if the diagnosis made by Dr. Wilson is something to go by (Watt, 2016). Now, in my opinion, as the diagnosis has suggested, it is unreasonable to give birth to an abnormal child that will be problematic to not only the parents but also the child. As I have Christian ethics in mind, I find the advantages of aborting the fetus far much ahead of the potential problems that will accompany the abnormal child.

References

Gawron, L. M., & Watson, K. (2017). Documenting moral agency: A qualitative analysis of abortion decision making for fetal indications. Contraception, 95(2), 175-180. Retrieved https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2016.08.020

Minkoff, H., & Marshall, M. F. (2016). Fetal risks, relative risks, and relatives' risks. The American Journal of Bioethisc, 16(2), 3-11. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15265161.2015.1120791

Watt, H. (2016). The ethics of pregnancy, abortion and childbirth: Exploring moral choices in childbearing. Routledge.