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.

Answer 1

Fetal Abnormality:

1. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain.

ANS: Jessica after staying with her aunt, Maria, for an extended period realizes that she is pregnant immediately after moving into their new house. However, the fetus has some abnormality and needs attention. Dr. Wilson, the doctor who was in charge of Jessica, is the one who realizes this and opts for abortion as the best option. According to him, abortion is both scientifically and medically the best solution in determining the moral status of the fetus. Aunt Maria has a different theory in determining the moral state of the unborn, being a devout and religious person, she insists that Jessica keeps the fetus and allow what God intends to take place. She goes ahead to urge Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother. Marco, Jessica’s husband, leaves it all to his wife to determine the fate of the fetus; he says that he will abide by his Wife’s decision on what to do with their unborn baby. From the above different theories, it is evident that each and every one of them had a different view of what to do with the fetus based on their values and beliefs (France et al., 2013).

2. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action?

ANS: The various theories also determine each of their recommendation for action in several ways. For instance, Aunt Maria's theory is that Jessica leaves the child and should not abort to let God’s will be done. She recommends for this because she is a staunch Christian and abides by the values and principles of Christianity. As a doctor, Wilson knows the pain of losing an unborn baby. However, he also understands that it would be very dangerous for the mother to keep the baby having in mind the abnormality which it is diagnosed with. He recommends for abortion as the safest method that can be used to ensure the mother's life is not in danger. His theory, basically, from the onset, is that Jessica can have a safe abortion, which is correct according to the law, later on, they can still get another child who might be free from any abnormalities. Marco’s theory is based on what the wife feels is right for the good of the child. His recommendation is based solely on what the wife feels is the best option (Case Study: Fetal Abnormality, 2015)

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

ANS: Personally, I would go with the doctors theory and recommendation of action. Abortion was the best solution is such a case because it would give the mother solutions to give birth again later in life rather than risking her life. What I do not want to put is that Christianity and Christian values are wrong, but for this particular case, the doctors theory was the best available theory that could be used by Jessica to give her another chance to live. I would also argue that by aborting the unborn baby, which for a fact is scientifically and medically correct given the situation at hand, Jessica would get another chance to live and bear healthy children other than risking here precious life. This theory would, therefore, see to it that Jessica has aborted the fetus before the situations get so dire. Additionally, it would as well save them from financial constraints which they are currently facing with her husband since the child would require extra care and attention which they might not be in a position to provide.

References:

France, E. F., Hunt, K., Ziebland, S., & Wyke, S. (2013). What parents say about disclosing the end of their pregnancy due to fetal abnormality.Midwifery, 29(1), 24-32.

Case Study: Fetal Abnormality. (2015). Grand Canyon University.

Dunstan, A. (2012, February 16). The Divine Command Theory Supports That Abortion is Morally Wrong. In Hubpages. Retrieved from http://hubpages.com/education/ divinecommandtheoryabortion

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

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