Based on Case Study: Fetal Abnormality and other 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.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
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
Marias 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.
