FETAL ABNORMALITY CASE STUDY

Theories serve as the foundation for people to derive knowledge, make choices, and make decisions. Morality in society determines what is right and wrong for the people. In certain circumstances, morality differs from the statute. Religious and cultural values are encrypted through morality. The medical and science worlds will debate a society's or an individual's moral foundations based on empirically validated analysis of the phonemes in question. Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson are in a difficult situation in the fetal abnormality case study, and their beliefs in various hypotheses are influencing their decisions. Jessica’s theory in determining the moral status of the fetus is based on religious connotation which purports life as sacred and the need to attain socioeconomic prosperity. The religious teachings across all denominations teach the believers to treat and view life as sacred. God is the only being who is entitled to give and take life. As far as abortion is legal in some countries only on medical grounds, most religious communities view abortion as contrary to the religious teachings (Greasley, 2016). In the case of Jessica, the dilemma at her hand arose due to the abnormalities and possible Down syndrome of the unborn baby. The rearing of a physically impaired child with Down’s syndrome would be detrimental to her and her husband’s socioeconomic wellbeing. Jessica will, therefore, have to choose between the socioeconomic wellbeing and holding to her religious grounds which view life as sacred and go on to deliver the baby.
Marco’s theory is almost similar to Jessica’s. Marco’s determination of the moral status of the fetus is based on economic security as well as the emotional well-being of his wife, Jessica. The emotional wellbeing of Jessica is a priority in Marco’s moral ground. Even though the economic security is an area of concern to Marco, he is too concerned about his wife that whatever she will agree he will support.
Maria’s theory on the determination of the status of the fetus is totally religious. Maria believes that whatever is happening is the will of God. The fate of the fetus according to Maria is in the hands of God and whatever the condition the baby will be born; God has a plan for him or her. Maria believes that Jessica just like any woman and mother has a responsibility to deliver the conceived being despite any situation it might be.
Dr. Wilson’s theory on the determination of the moral status of the fetus is totally scientific. Dr. Wilson has a moral and professional obligation to ensure the well-being of his patients medically, socially, emotionally and even economically. His analysis as a medical professional has brought him to the conclusion that bearing and delivering the fetus would be unwise. Allowing a child with physical disabilities and down’s syndrome would be equivalent to approving to an impending emotional, financial and social distress. The child will undergo hard times living with a Down’s syndrome and physical disability.
The different theories of the affected parties in the case study are greatly influencing their decisions. While Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson have their minds decided, Jessica is still at the crossroads. Jessica is torn between the religious teachings and doing what will guarantee her social and economic wellbeing. She understands that raising the child would be a crucial task. She is yet to make her mind though. For Marco, Jessica’s decision on the fate of the fetus is exactly what he will stand with. He seems to oversee the importance of financial security for his wife’s wellbeing. Maria has no other thoughts. Her theory is based on the religious teachings that everything happens, and God has a plan for every situation. She also believes that Jessica has a moral responsibility to carry the pregnancy and deliver the baby. Dr. Wilson’s theory is to medical professionalism and science. His moral responsibility as a doctor is driving him to recommend that the fetus should be safely aborted as a measure for the wellbeing of the family and also prevent giving birth to a child who will suffer the rest of his or her life.
For me, I agree with Dr. Wilson’s theory. The medical safety of the mother and the child should always be guaranteed. When the status of a fetus is in bad condition, aborting the fetus safely should be the next step. One can conceive again and again. It is wise therefore to raise normal healthy children. It is totally immoral on a medical ground to allow for an abnormal fetus with the possibility of developing Down’s syndrome to progress in pregnancy to delivery (In Boylan, 2014). Raising an impaired child would be detrimental to the child both financially, socially and emotionally. The professional advice from Dr. Wilson should, therefore, be adopted.

References

Greasley, (2016). Arguing about abortion. Place of publication not identified: Oxford university press.
In Boylan, m. (2014). Medical ethics.