Based on Case Study: Fetal Abnormality and the required topic study materials, write a 750-

Running head: FETAL ABNORMALITY

Based on "Case Study: Fetal Abnormality" and the 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?

Fetal Abnormality Greter Valdes Munis Grand Canyon University

FETAL ABNORMALITY

2

Fetal Abnormality

The Christian view of the nature of the human person is the human beings were created in the image and likeness of God. They are God’s creation and God has given them the power to take care of the universe. Unlike other creations more power is given to the human beings and hence they are given the capability to reason and properly make decisions. Christians believe that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God meaning that they are more like God (Jaworska & Tannenbaum, 2019). Due to this reason the human life is respected and a lot of dignity is given to the human life. Christians believe that the human life is sacred and should be treated with a lot of care and respect as it is a representation of God. The theory that is most compatible with is the theory of moral agency and relationship (Mitchell, 2018). The theory describes an individual’s ability to make moral judgment based on the notion of right and wrong.The theory of moral agency requires that individuals are held accountable for their actions.Through the theory human beings are able to follow through with their moral and make the decision on what is right and wrong.Each of the individuals has a different opinion of what should be made of the fetus depending on their moral status. Due to their different moral status different moral theories are being applied and hence making it difficult to come up with a decision. Aunt Maria is seen to be following through with the theory of moral agency and relationship (Surovell, 2016). She does not support the option of abortion as she believes it is all God’s plan. According to her morals it is not right that the abortion should take place regardless of the situation of the unborn child. She believes that Jessica should trust in God as it is the right thing to do. She is a Christina and most of the Christians do not believe in abortion. Christians respect life despite the nature of the human form as long as they have life.

FETAL ABNORMALITY

3

Jessica is applying the theory of sentience which gives one the capacity to feel and experience subjectively. Through this theory it means that she feels for the fetus and has to be considerate of the decisions that she makes (Mitchell, 2018). She is worried that the abortion will have a physical effect on the fetus and hence is worried on what the fetus will feel. She has to think if the fetus will feel or think before she makes the right decision. She is more concerned on the feelings of the fetus which shows the theory of sentience. The doctor is applying the theory of cognitive properties. The theory defines that to have the moral status one should be able to demonstrate understanding (Surovell, 2016). In this case the fetus does not have any understanding or awareness and hence it is right that the abortion takes place. The doctor believes that this is the right thing to do as it will take off the burden of raising a child with Down syndrome. The husband on the other hand is applying the theory of cognitive and human property. This theory is clear as he does not give a decision on whether the abortion should take place or not. There are no clear guidelines on what he believes in as he does not state what should be done of the fetus. He states that he will support whatever decision that Jessica will make. Before making the decision he has to be considerate of Jessica.

Each of the individuals has different views of what they believe to be right and this influence their recommendation of what should be the right action. For example Aunt Maria believes that it is wrong that the abortion should take place. Her moral status does not believe in abortion regardless of the situation of the fetus. She believes that Jessica should trust in God as He has a good plan for her. She believes in the values of Christianity and abortion is viewed as a sin and it is wrong before God. For her Jessica should follow through with the pregnancy and trust that all will be well.

FETAL ABNORMALITY

4

I agree with Aunt Maria theory that God has a plan and that Jessica should not follow through with the abortion. It might be hard raising a child with abnormalities but having the child is the right thing to do. With the current trends in the community and in the health care system there is a solution to every problem. There is various community facilities that help support the children born with various abnormalities. It will be difficult for the mother to raise the child but she has that support she could need to raise the child. I would encourage that she is given the support to raise the child and that abortion should not be conducted.