Question

Write a 500-750 word analysis of "Case Study: Fetal Abnormality." 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?

Answer 1

• The present case study revolves around the perspectives of four people. First is Dr. Wilson, who on medical grounds advices the couple to go for abortion as the fetus is abnormal.
• The theory that govern his decision is that the child that will be born, will be abnormal and the life expectancy will be lower. Also, it will add additional burden on the parents with respect to the care and management of the child.
• The decision of the dotor is based on the Virtue ethics theory, in which Aristotle described about twelve moral virtues and laid emphasis on the fact that abortion can be seen as victorious action if it is demonstrated in the golden mean that is courage and eventually aims at human flourishing (Hursthouse, R., 1991).
• The second person is Jessica’s husband, who is very supportive of whatever Jessica would decide. His views were in favour of “feminism”, according to which the rights of the mother over the right of life of foetus are more. The only wrong part was that he did not ensure that Jessica gets medical aid during her initial months of pregnancy.
• Also, there is aunt Maria, who is their landlady as well as caretaker who wants Jessica to give birth to her child, no matter what. Her theory is based on the theory of “Right to live”. According to this theory if the fetus is recognized as a person and given personhood, then termination or abortion will be termed as murder and God will punish the accused (Hughes, G, 1982). Her notions were also based on the Biblical ethics which said that God has created man as a reflection of himself and if the blood of that human is shed by anyone, the act is punishable (Davis, J., 2015).
• Lastly, the person who has to make the decision is Jessica. Either she can opt for medical termination of her pregnancy or continue with her motherhood. There is no doubt in the fact that if she gives birth to an abnormal child, the socioeconomic status of the family will become disbalanced and it will, at some point of time, become difficult to manage.
• But on the contrary, according to the theory of feminism the woman has two options: either to completely remove the womb or abstain from intercourse. But this theory is not logical as the mother cannot be given the sole right of terminating her pregnancy. This is because there have been cases where mothers have aborted their fetuses on the basis of sex too.
• Therefore, I would go in support of the doctor’s decision. Since the medical terminologies and tests have already predicted the abnormality in the growth and development of the fetus, it is not wise to give birth to an abnormal child. Not only will this be problematic for the parents but also for the child. And as far as the legal considerations are taken into account, it is allowed to terminate a pregnancy till 24 weeks of the fetus. (gillon, R., 2001).