Jessica is a 30 year old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco h

Question

Jessica is a 30 year old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the U.S for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their aunt 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, Jesssica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrsaound indicates a pssible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted and it determind 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 adistressed 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 out loud. Marco and Dr. Wilson continues their discussion and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent to discussing all relevant factors and options regrading 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 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 hers 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 to not view the pregnancy and prospects of a disabled child as aburden 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 is 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. Write a 500-750 word analysis of this situation be sure to address the following questions. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain? How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action? What theory do you agree with? How would the theory determine or influence the recommendation for action? Please cite all sources.

Explanation / Answer

Moral Status Case Study:

In this Case Study Fetal Abnormality four individuals (Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson) that are able to make their feelings about aborting a fetus are presented. According to the given situation, Jessica is pregnant with a 25% chance of Down syndrome fetus and currently does not have any arms with a low probability they will develop. Marco supports her wife Jessica decision.

Dr. Wilson is supportive of aborting the fetus and Jessica religious Aunt Maria pleads Jessica obligation to God and this unborn child. These individuals pose various theories in determining the moral status of a fetus.    

Moral Status:

To the family all the possible options are provided by Dr. Wilson and based on his medical knowledge of the disabilities he greatly support abortion. Theory of cognitive properties was utilized by Dr. Wilson, which states in order to have moral status one needs to be able to demonstrate a level of awareness and rationality, which fetus’s do not posses (“Theological anthropology,” 2015). According to this theory the fetus has no moral status so it is acceptable to abort it. But Jessica Aunt Maria pleads to think about her obligations as a mother to this child, as well as respecting God’s intent. It can fall under the theory based on relationship. Jessica has a relationship to this fetus as its mother and a relationship to God; these relationships provide the fetus with moral status making abortion wrong. This also demonstrates the divine command theory, which is based on God being the creator and decides morality (Dunstan, 2012). Marco is concerned about the burden of a disabled child but is willing to support Jessica. This demonstrates the theory based on relationship, because the moral status of the child may change, depending on Jessica (“Theological anthropology,” 2015). Jessica is in confict because of the financial burden this child poses and her religious beliefs that oppose abortion. Jessica is acting as the moral agent, a person acting for herself to make the most appropriate decision (Purtilo &Doherty, 2011). This represents the theory of moral agency, because Jessica will decide the moral status of the child.

Authors Opinion:

            In this theory the author can believes relationship and sentience. It can influence the decision of abortion because the author believes that a fetus can feel pain and that the mother has an obligation to the fetus, as its mother to protect it as well as an obligation to God not destroy one of his creations. Sentient beings have moral status and relationships that determine moral status (“Theological anthropology,” 2015).

Conclusion:

In this case study when it comes to human life the four individuals as well as the author had different values. A decision regarding abortion is a difficult choice to make, and is a decision that a patient will need to live with for the rest of their lives. As a Christian this author believes that abortion is immoral and goes against God’s plan. However, as a Nurse my opinion should not influence the decision of a patient. As a medical professional we have a responsibility to provide all of the options in an unbiased manner.

References:

Dunstan, A. (2012, February 16). The Divine Command Theory Supports That Abortion is Morally Wrong. In Hubpages.

Purtilo, R. B., & Doherty, R. F. (2011). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.

Theological Anthropology and the Phenomenology of Disease and Illness (2015). In Grand Canyon University lecture notes. Retrieved March 17, 2016.

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