Case Study: Fetal Abnormality, Bioethics, and Moral Status Analysis

This case study examines the complex ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding a fetal abnormality. Jessica, a pregnant immigrant, discovers her fetus has a rare condition and potential Down syndrome. The case explores the viewpoints of Jessica, her husband Marco, her Aunt Maria, and Dr. Wilson, hi...Read More

1
The Christian view of the nature of the person can be described with the help of Biblical writings
where existential theories of life can be taken as a point of reference. Biblical sources identify
the existence of a person in the world, right at the point when a mother conceives a kid. This
view was amended by the next generation of thinkers while handing complex situations like
abnormal fetus abortion (Chance, 2012).
According to the primary Biblical interpretations, abortion is a sin and a guilty person should go
for penance to get rid of the burden that she accumulated because of the abortion. The modern
laws related to abortion also follows the sentiments preached in the Bible by adding the concepts
of “human person” and “right to live.”
The debates related to abortion reached a new level in the modern world when Medical fraternity
came up with the concept of “Therapeutic Abortion.” An amended version of the primary
Roman Catholic laws under the name of Canon laws identifies therapeutic abortions as a solution
for saving the person (mother) from a life-threatening situation. Most of the anti-abortion
denominations identify this recommendation of Canon law (Commello, 2019).
The definition of dignity is dependent on the fundamental moral worth; under the present case,
the fundamental moral worth of a fetus can be considered as a point to support anti-abortion
theories. However, theories based on the human properties while describing the sentience
attached to the ill fate of the fetus can promote a values system where abortion can be established
as an imperative choice (Steinboic, 2018).

2.
In the present case, Jessica is abiding by the moral status theory of the sentience, abortion is
always a painful decision for the mother because she can feel the first activities and human
nature of a fetus. Her husband Marco is reacting in accordance with the moral status of Human
properties, under this status a human being puts a glance on the ethical considerations while
considering the merits of the physical properties that are measurable or visible. Aunt Maria’s
stance of “God intends” is indicating towards a stance advocating the moral status obtained after
consulting the opinion of a moral agency. The moral status of Dr. Wilson advocates a Pro-life
view developed under the guidelines of bio-ethical considerations. This moral status is an
improved version of Marco’s viewpoint. Dr. Wilson is adjudging the case on the merit of the
human properties while taking the support of professional and scientific guidelines. Dr. Wilson is
acquiring an “all or nothing” view to decide the right course of action and his view for the moral
status of the fetus is “nothing (Zuradazki, 2014).”
3.
The theory of “all or nothing” can be seen from two different viewpoints. From the point of view
of Aunt Maria,’ it is an “All” condition, where she is accepting the moral status of the fetus as a
living organism. The case facts also indicate towards Maria’s concerns related to the socio-
economic conditions while handling the birth and nurture of a child. The anti-abortion laws as
established in the Biblical literature also indicate towards God’s will to support the future of a
child or any living organism (White, 2013). From the point of view of Aunt Maria, this clause
explains the worries of Jessica and shows her a religious path. Dr. Wilson’s stance of
considering it as “nothing” explains his pro-life approach where the quality of the life is a very

important factor, a fetus with no hands and underdeveloped organs cannot enjoy the basics of
life. It can be considered as a vegetable status for him (Green, 2019). Although the all and
nothing theory fails in explaining the status of Marco and Jessica because for them the moral
status of the fetus is still complex, however, they are required to treat it under the “all or nothing”
condition for a definitive solution of the problem.
4.
When I have a look at the entire case from the bio-ethical perspective I find the following
observations. We can also consider the clause of the “chances of normalcy.” Since the chances of
survival and normalcy are minimal in this case, the recommendations of the pro-life approach
suggest that abortion is justified and it should be performed for the betterment of Jessica and the
fetus. The expectancy of the life and the quality of the life are two factors that should be
considered here, it is true that the fetus has an expectancy of the life attached to it, however, it is
a certainty that the quality of the life attached to the fetus can be considered as “ nothing” this is
why an abortion is a right choice.

References
Chance, N. (2012). Biblical Abortion: A Christian’s View. Rewire. News,
https://rewire.news/article/2012/06/03/biblical-abortion-christians-view-1/.
Commello, J. (2019). Canon law examined in wake of a push for ex-communication over
abortion. Catholic Philly.com,
https://catholicphilly.com/2019/01/news/national-news/canon-law-examined-in-wake-of-
push-for-excommunication-over-abortion/.
Green, E. (2019). A Pastor’s Case for the Morality of Abortion. The Atlantic,
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/05/progressive-christians-abortion-jes-
kast/590293/.
Steinboic, B. (2018). MORAL STATUS AND HUMAN EMBRYOS. Steinboic Chapter 18,
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1001&context=cas_philosophy_scholar.
White, F. (2013). Personhood: An Essential Characteristic of the Human Species. NCBI,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6081772/.
Zuradazki, T. (2014). Moral uncertainty in bioethical argumentation: a new understanding of the
pro-life view on early human embryos. PMC ,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4244577/.