Case Study on Moral Status: Fetal Abnormality, Ethical Considerations

This case study examines the complex ethical considerations surrounding fetal abnormality and moral status, focusing on a scenario involving a pregnant woman, Jessica, and her husband, Marco, who discover their fetus has a rare condition and potential Down syndrome. The paper explores the Christian perspective on the nature of human persons, emphasizing the belief that life begins at conception and that all human life is sacred. It introduces the Human Property Theory, which supports the moral rights and status of all humans from fertilization. The analysis contrasts the viewpoints of Jessica, Marco, Maria (Jessica's aunt), and Dr. Wilson, highlighting their reliance on different theories to justify their stance on the situation. Jessica, Marco, and Maria adhere to the Human Property Theory, emphasizing the value and dignity of the unborn child. Dr. Wilson, on the other hand, uses a cognitive property theory, suggesting that abortion is a wise decision. The paper concludes by agreeing with the Human Property Theory and asserting that creation is an initiative from God and that His will should be followed. The theory of human properties can support keeping the baby and allow its birth because the physicians have ways of providing healthcare plans for such situations. The case study emphasizes the need to integrate patients' spiritual and cultural beliefs into clinical healthcare plans.

Running head: CASE STUDY ON MORAL STATUS1
Case study on moral status
Name
Institution

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Fetal abnormality
Christian View of the Nature of Human Persons
The Christian perception towards human beings is that they are God's creation created in His
image (Voster, 2011). Although every individual has their appearance physically, God's image
perception is that His personality and human persons are the same. According to the scriptures
in Genesis 2:7, God-breathed in the man's nostrils and gave him life. Genesis 1:28 indicates that
God commanded humans to fill the earth and subdue it. Therefore, Christian understanding is
that life begins at conception within another. According to Christian beliefs, God did not indicate
the many forms or shapes that the baby will possess, but the breath of life validates the nature of
being human. God is responsible for the development of human beings. The case of Marco and
Jessica is at a point where their child has already been created. The doctor's conviction of the
scientific credibility to eliminate the baby hardly matches their belief in God. The case is
compatible with the Human Property Theory, which states that all humans have a status, and
only humans have it (Gregory and Eduardo, 2012). According to Human Property Theory,
human life begins at fertilization, and once life begins, all humans have moral rights and status.
Maria is holding on to this theory because it does not limit the physical status of a human being
expect that they have all the basics properties of being considered human.
The Intrinsic Human Value and Dignity
The physical status of the unborn baby does not change the fact that it is human. The
difference is that there is incomplete development on the physical stature, which poses as a
psychological and economic challenge to the couple. The parents will also be subject to societal
discrimination based on the nature of the child if they happen to allow its birth. Human value and

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dignity demand that the child is respected and also that It deserves honor and respect (Kamir,
2015). The physical nature of a human being should be based on the simplicity that they are
human beings of their unique nature.
Theories Used By Jessica Marco Maria and Dr. Wilson
The theory used by Jessica, Marco, and Maria is the Theory of Human Property. The theory
supports the moral rights and status and emphasizes the growth and development of human
beings. It focuses on a person's ability than possession. The individual may not have hands but
can communicate in a language that the family can understand. A lot can be gained through
communication, including talking about life and any other information that is beneficial to the
concerned persons. The doctor is using the theory based on a cognitive property (Larsson and
Karl, 2014). The theory states that an individual should be able to understand their surrounding,
should understand, think, and even have a memory of past events. According to the doctor, the
child might not function according to the theory due to the suspected Down syndrome status.
Case Study
From the case study Jessica, Macro and Maria are holding on to the theory of human property
because they are convinced that life is sacred. They believe in God's intended plan, and they
consider the baby as a special responsibility. Through prayer, as they have demonstrated as their
approach to decision making, God will intervene in His own way to prove the dignity, honor, and
purpose of the baby. Doctor Wilsons supports the theory of cognitive properties as he indicates
that abortion is a scientifically and medically a wise decision to make. According to the doctor,

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the baby will neither be able to demonstrate a level of awareness nor have the capacity to engage
in purposeful activities.
Agreed Theory
I agree with the theory of human property. Creation is an initiative from God. Until through
the life process, humans may not be in a capacity to determine God's purpose for creating people
differently and especially giving them a disability of their kind. Furthermore, God being
supernatural may change the physical nature of the baby before it is born and prove wrong the
whole diagnosis. God's purpose could also be to improve the lives of many using the disability of
one. God's way of doing things cannot be manipulated but can be embraced, and His will
followed. However hard it could be, His reasons are far much better than the theoretical
perception of humans.
Theory Influence for Action
The theory of human properties can support keeping the baby and allow its birth because the
physicians have ways of providing healthcare plans for such situations. The doctor is not
opposing the child's birth because there is no health care approach, but it will be a challenging
life process for all involved. Ethical clinical healthcare plans integrate with the patient's spiritual
and cultural beliefs for the better improvement of a patient's health.

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References
Kamir, O. (2015). Applying Dignity, Respect, Honor and Human Rights to a Pluralistic,
Multicultural Universe. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2635489
Larsson, S. (2014). Karl Renner and (Intellectual) Property-How Cognitive Theory Can Enrich a
Sociolegal Analysis of Contemporary Copyright. Law & Society Review, 48(1), 3-33.
doi:10.1111/lasr.12057
Property and Human Flourishing. (2012). An Introduction to Property Theory, 80-102.
doi:10.1017/cbo9780511978548.008
Vorster, J. (2011). A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human
embryo. ActaTheologica, 31(1). doi:10.4314/actat.v31i1.11