Case Study on Moral Status and Fetal Abnormality Order Instructions: Case Study on Moral Status
View Rubric Details: Write a 250-500 word analysis of “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality.” Be sure to address the following questions:
1.Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain.
2.How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action?
3.What theory do you agree with? How would the theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
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HLT310V.R.CaseStudyFetalAbnormality.docx
Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the U.S. for the last 3 years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s 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 out loud.
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 to not 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.
Case Study on Moral Status
1
Unsatisfactory
0.00%
2
Less than Satisfactory
65.00%
3
Satisfactory
75.00%
4
Good
85.00%
5
Excellent
100.00%
70.0 %Content
25.0 % Determination of Moral Status
Theory/Theories are not identified that determine the moral status of the fetus.
Theory/Theories are identified that determine the moral status of the fetus for at least a few of the people listed in the case study, but explanation is lacking.
Theory/Theories are identified that determine the moral status of the fetus for at least a few of the people listed in the case study. Some explanation is provided.
Theory/Theories are identified that determine the moral status of the fetus for all of the people listed in the case study, including an adequate explanation.
Theory/Theories are identified that determine the moral status of the fetus for at least all of the people listed in the case study, including detailed explanation.
25.0 % Recommendation for Action
Recommendation for action is not present.
Recommendation for action is present, but lacks explanation.
Recommendation for action is present, with some explanation.
Recommendation for action is present, with explanation.
Recommendation for action is present, with detailed explanation that shows a deep understanding of the subject.
20.0 % Personal Response to Case Study
Personal response to case study is not present.
Personal response to case study includes if you agree or disagree but does not detail how the theory determines or influences the recommendation for action.
Personal response to case study includes whether if you agree or disagree and an explanation on how the theory determines or influences the recommendation for action.
Personal response to case study includes if you agree or disagree and a detailed explanation on how the theory determines or influences the recommendation for action.
Personal response to case study includes if you agree or disagree and a detailed explanation that shows a deep understanding of the subject including how the theory determines or influences the recommendation for action.
20.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
7.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear.
Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive. The essence of the paper is contained within the thesis. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
8.0 % Argument Logic and Construction
Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.
Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.
Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.
Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.
Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
5.0 % Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) and/or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied.
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed.
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
10.0 %Format
5.0 % Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent.
Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
5.0 % Research Citations (in-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment and style)
No reference page is included. No citations are used.
Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used.
Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present
Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and citation style is usually correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.
100 % Total Weightage
Case Study on Moral Status and Fetal Abnormality Sample Answer
Case Study on Moral Status
The question on moral status of early fetuses and the issues about ethics of choice on decision to abort a pregnancy continue to elicit mixed reactions. Different views and theories have emerged that deliberate on this issue. The paper therefore, deliberates on a case study provided, focusing specifically on the issue of moral status.
In this case study, Marco, Maria, Jessica and Dr. Wilson applies different theories to determine moral status of the fetus. For instance, Marco who is also the husband of Jessica uses pragmatic theory in determining the moral status of the fetus. He has left the decision of making a choice to Jessica and this indicates clearly his in decisiveness. Jessica is also faced with conflicting view on whether to stay with the pregnancy or do away with it so that she may avoid the consequences of living with a disabled child, but seems to be guided by natural law of ethics (Stewart, 2009). Maria on the other hand, observes or is guided by Kant theory. She believes that every human has the virtues of the capacity for moral freedom (Harman, 1999). She believes that regardless of the situation, Jessica has the capacity to concept what is good and bad and to take the best choice that upholds to morality. She seems to believe that the fetus has moral status.
Dr. Wilson on other hand uses pragmatic ethics theory in determining the moral status of the fetus. He believes that abortion is medically and scientifically advised on such a fetus because of its health after birth and the implication it will have on the parents.
These theories have influenced these individuals on each of their recommendation for action. For instance, Dr. Wilson makes recommendation of aborting because of the implication the fetus in terms of financial upkeep. It will cause more challenges to the parents and to the child and therefore is advisable to do away with it. Maria believes in natural law as well as Jessica and this makes them to be adamant in making decisive decision. Similarly, Marco is torn-apart and wants Jessica to make decision solely.
I do agree with the pragmatic situation. This theory supports abortion on medical ground. The fetus has down syndrome and lacks limbs. The life of the fetus once born is posed to have challenges. The couple would therefore, be obliged to follow the doctor’s recommendation and abort the fetus to save the situation. This decision will also lead to ethical outcome since it is ethically supported.
Case Study on Moral Status and Fetal Abnormality References
Harman, E. (1999). Creation Ethics: The moral status of early fetuses and the ethics of abortion. Philosophy and public affairs, 28(4), 310-324.
Stewart, N. (2009). Ethics. New York: Polity
