Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status
Jessica and Marco must make a very important decision on whether or not to terminate the pregnancy due to fetal abnormalities. This decision will be determined by whether or not the fetus has moral status and what is recommended as what is the right thing to do. The four actors in this case study will all have different ideas on their beliefs and what they think and recommend as the best decision based on their moral status. Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status. No matter what recommendations are given only Jessica and Marco can decide what to do and what is best for them.
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As stated in Moral Status and Human Life, “Moral Status is a characteristic that we human moral agents attribute to entities, by virtue of which they matter morally for their own sake, so that we must pay attention to their interests or integrity when we consider actions that might affect them.” When an entity has moral status those may act in no way towards it and disregard it’s wellbeing. Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status. With this being said a moral agent must care to some degree about what the entity needs or wants (Dwyer, 2010).
Jessica is uncertain which decision to make because of what she thinks and knows is her value of life. She expresses “that all life is sacred” hence, this suggests the sentience theory in supporting the fact that the fetus has moral status and not terminating the pregnancy (Grand Canyon University, 2015). She also has an obligation to the fetus as the mother, which supports the relationship theory.
Marco sees that having a disabled child would become a financial burden to him and Jessica. This suggests that he values his financial concerns over the fetus. This can be hard decision because due to his relationship with Jessica, and the he supports Jessica in whatever decision she will make. This may change his view in support of the fetus as having move value and deciding against terminating the pregnancy. If this was the case his decision would go in accordance to the sentience theory (Grand Canyon University, 2015). Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status.
Maria sees what is going on and knows what the diagnosis is, but wants Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy anyways. She believes that it is Gods choice and she wants Jessica to follow through with what God intends to do. As stated in the case study Maria feels this is her responsibility as a mother to follow through with the pregnancy. Making these statements shows that she is following the sentience theory and supporting the fact that the fetus has an important moral status (Grand Canyon University, 2015).
Dr. Wilson does not agree with Marco in waiting to tell Jessica what the scan has to show. He feels it important and right to tell Jessica now so she can decide what she wants to do. With this I believe he is following the relationship theory in allowing her to know and make a right choice (Grand Canyon University, 2015). He feels he has an obligation to her in telling her the truth right away. Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status.
The writer agrees with the sentience theory and that the fetus has moral status. The pregnancy should not be terminated just because there are abnormalities in the fetus. God has created everyone and there may be challenges in life, but he will be there to get them through. Although there may be complications this should be dealt with as they come. If Jessica and Marco can stick together and work out their differences they should allow for the fetus to come into the world. Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status.
References
Dwyer, J. (2010). What is Moral Status and Why Does it Matter. In J. G. Dwyer, Moral Status and Human Life (pp. 9-26). Cambridge University Press.
Grand Canyon University. (2015). God, Humanity, and Human Dignity. PHI-413V Lecture 2. Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making: Moral Status.