The post includes a case study: fetal abnormality gcu, and discussions on the Christian concept of the imago Dei, and what value does a human person have? How does your position affect your stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research?
Topic 2 DQ 1
What is the Christian concept of the imago Dei? How might it be important to health care, and why is it relevant?
Topic 2 DQ 2
According to your worldview, what value does a human person have? How does your position affect your stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research?
Case Study 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 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?
Case Study Fetal Abnormality Essay
The Christian view of the nature of human persons
Christians believe that all humans are a reflection of God’s image and likeliness. This understanding is the foundation of human dignity among Christians, and life is sacred and should be protected. Christians perceive abortion, humanized embryonic stem cell research, and other scientific research involving the destruction of embryos as unethical. The Christian view of the human person’s nature is based on the theory that every person’s life is valuable. Everyone has a unique purpose of serving on earth regardless of their social, mental, or physical status (Shelly & Miller, 2006). Everyone should strive to care for others, especially those with special needs. Christians view every person as having an infinite intrinsic value. According to Christian teachings, we should show love and care for the sick, disabled, elderly, and people with mental health conditions since everyone is entitled to a quality life. The Fetal abnormality case study presents a unique circumstance that which every actor has to exercise their worldview to offer a solution. The doctor perceives abortion as the best option. Aunt Maria suggests that Jessica proceed to give birth to the child and let God decide. At the same time, Marco takes the socioeconomic effects of giving birth to the child but promises to support Jessica no matter the decision. Jessica is divided between materialism and the Christian worldview.
The doctor’s advice is based more on scientism, which believes that science has a solution for everything. Abortion is a scientific process that involves the destruction of the embryo. After diagnosing the embryo abnormally, the doctor advises abortion as the best option for the mother. The doctor offers the available options after seeing the baby’s chance to be born with Down syndrome. The doctor offers his opinion not involving religious views and perceives abortion as medically and scientifically reasonable given the circumstances. Scientism disputes spiritual, cultural, and religious worldviews in rationalizing things that happen on earth (Burnett, n.d.). This worldview is that science is the only knowledge source and applies scientific research and facts to offer explanations. Given that the doctor does not interject spirituality or religious views, in his opinion, it is proof that scientism disregards other worldviews. The doctor explains that different options are available but makes it clear abortion is the most viable option.
Aunt Maria advises Jessica to continue and give birth and let God decide the child’s fate. Her opinion is based on the Christian worldview and understanding that life starts after conception and everyone has a right to live. Aunt Maria believes in praying and believing in God (Shelly & Miller, 2006). She wants Jessica to give birth, and the rest is God’s plan. She gives life a priority over the socioeconomic difficulties of raising the child. Her Christian understanding shapes her opinion. Christians pray to God and believe in God’s power to heal or offer comfort in any difficult circumstance. Science is human intelligence in understanding things, which is a gift from God. Unlike scientists, Christians have a different healthcare approach, which involves caring for the sick, disabled, and mentally ill, and providing comfort for those in need. The Christian understanding of Imago Dei guides their treatment of others since people are required to care for everyone equally regardless of their status, socially, physically, and mentally. Humans have to care for others. Also, God has a purpose for everyone. Christians’ worldview guides Aunt Maria’s advice to Jessica, who has the responsibility of caring for the child no matter the circumstance.
Marco offers to support Jessica no matter her decision. However, his opinion is more materialistic since he gives their socioeconomic status a priority and not life. Marco is concerned about Jessica and would support her if she decides to keep the pregnancy. Marco is also concerned about their financial security and the plans they have with Jessica. He views having a disabled child as a burden and a constraint to economic stability. Materialism is a strong affiliation to earthly objects that define financial status (Materialism, n.d.). The child with an abnormality would have unique medical, social, and care needs that require a substantial investment. This concept influences the fetus’s moral status, and Marco’s recommendation for action would be that which offers more financial security. Materialism mostly does not consider the impacts of materialistic activities on other people or objects.
Jessica is divided between two worldviews, Christianity and materialism. Jessica Christian’s understanding is that the fetus’ life is sacred. However, she also has the same socioeconomic concerns as Marco. The abnormality would impact their financial status and independence, which is more a materialistic view since it emphasizes earthly objects rather than the religious and spiritual value for life. Jessica has to decide based on scientific advice, Aunt Maria Christian’s perspectives, Marco’s concerns, and her take on the situation. Jessica’s worldview can be regarded as modern Western views that are always conflicting. The modern Western worldview involves a conflict between matter and the spirit. The matter is regarded as evil and spirit as acceptable according to biblical values (Shelly & Miller, 2006). People now believe that they define their destiny, and they can make their own choices based on what they believe is good for them. This take has heightened the number of abortions and scientific research that has no regard for embryonic life. Each of these worldviews has a strong influence on Jessica’s final decision.
I agree with the Christian worldview and the understanding that everyone was created in God’s image and likeliness and therefore deserves a right to live and quality care. The baby has the right to live regardless of the circumstance. Jessica needs to have faith in God and believe that the fetus has a purpose. Jessica should give birth to, nurture, and love the child. It is our duty as Christians to care for everyone equally, considering their godliness nature. This theory influences the recommendation for action since it requires Jessica to go ahead and give birth to the child and put faith in God’s plan and power to provide. The current technological advances would also make sure the child has enough resources to lead a quality life.
References
Burnett, T. (n.d.). What is Scientism? Retrieved from www.aaas.org/page/what-scientism
Materialism. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/materialism
Shelly, J.A., & Miller, A.B. (2006). Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic/InterVarsity Press
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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.
Course Materials – case study: fetal abnormality grand canyon university
View the video \”Philosophy – Ethics: Moral Status,\” by Jeff Sebo, from Wireless Philosophy.
URL:
Read the attached article, \”The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons With Profound Intellectual Disabilities,\” by Devan Stahl and John F. Kilner, from The Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability. ©2017 Joni and Friends, Agoura Hills, CA. Used with permission. (fetal abnormality essay)
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