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Pages:
3 pages/≈825 words
Sources:
4 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
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English (U.S.)
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MS Word
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Topic:

Christian View of the Nature of Human Persons and Theory of Human Properties

Essay Instructions:

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?
Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the United States for the last three 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 aloud.
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 not to 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.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
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Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Christianity is important in the daily lives of human beings as it helps people act on what is morally right. According to Christian teachings, human beings were made in God’s image, unlike the rest of His creations. The likeness does not refer to the physical appearance but rather the attributes of God, such as the ability to reason, have knowledge and wisdom, love, and forgive (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). Christianity holds that God gave human beings tasks to take responsibility for other creations and are equipped with the authority and ability to do good. Human beings should thus be treated with dignity and respect. All human beings have the duty to act and live morally, implying that they have the knowledge of drawing judgment on what is right and wrong (Batavia & Nelson, 2017). This human nature of having morals that help differentiate human beings from the rest of the creatures.
The theories of moral status are important in everyday lives and have been applied in the medical field to derive judgment on the best decision. Moral status is the judgment that is placed on a person, their value, and right to be treated based on ethical and moral standards. The moral status theory that is applicable in Christian belief is the theory of human properties which holds human beings to be valuable as they have fundamental realities pertaining to human beings (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). The theory of Human Properties is related to inherent human value in that the life of a human being has value despite the circumstances or nature of the individual. Human properties imply that everyone is entitled to living, and no party has the power to end another party’s life.
In the case provided on fetal abnormality, the different parties have different views on the best cause of action on whether Jessica should abort the child. The theory of moral status being used by Jessica is the theory of human properties since she believes that all lives are sacred. She does not consider her unborn child as lacking moral status since it has a disability, but rather as a human being who has the right to live. Jessica’s husband, Marco, derives his judgment based on the theory of cognitive properties. The theory holds that an individual has moral status if they have basic cognitive functions which act as a basis for high-level functioning (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). Marco views the fetus’ disability as a barrier to their journey towards stabilizing economically and becoming independent. If the child has down syndrome, it implies that their brain might not normally work, which is the basis for Marco’s judgment.
Aunt Maria’s judgment is deriv...
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