Fetal Deformities and Mental Condition Case Study

Question: 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 Marias 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. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action? What theory do you agree with? How would the theory determine or influence the recommendation for action? Answer: Theories of willpower: The theories which have been followed for determining the moral status of the fetus are mainly decisional conflict theory, anxiety theory and process coping theory (Griffith, 2004). Doctor became anxious when father of the fetus not responding. Father conflicts with doctors decision and also aunt do the same. Mother tries to cope up with the situation but mentally became weak. The situation not favors the birth of the fetus. Proposal of Action: Every human being have there own proposals for any condition. In this condition doctor, parents of the fetus and aunt of the parents also think in different ways. The main reason for thinking differently is the emotional attachment part. Doctor in this case try to help the parents after knowing the economic condition and health status of the fetus and he become anxious because the aim of the doctor is to give the mother an idea about the condition of the fetus. The father of the fetus trying to kept the information of deformity because he thinks that this news will affect the mental as well as physiological condition of his mother. Aunt try to pray in front of god because she thinks god will help to modify the condition. And ultimately mother was not able to decide anything and try to cope up from the situation. So the situations are defining the causes of the action. Doctor become anxious, father maintain the conflict to take decision as well as mother also try to do this and mother also follow the cope up theory. Aunt try to follow cope up theory by praying in front of god. Conclusion of the theories: The situation is very tough for every human being. We should know that the doctor diagnosed the problem and worried on the situation. Doctor also told that the fetus may be having Down syndrome. This is a genetic disorder and this leads from one generation to other generation. Also the life of the fetus is not so easy and he should go through proper medication and this is a cost effecting procedure. Decisional conflict is common in case of this kind of matter. The father should realize the matter and follow the instruction of the doctor. Patience of the doctor is also very important so the anxiety is not admirable in this case (Isaacs, 2003). The process of cop up with this situation is the only suitable theory or model. The awareness of the parents should increase about the disease but abortion is also a very tough procedure for a mother. Everybody should realize the condition and they should agree with the doctor that the economic condition is not good and with these difficulties g ive birth to a child with deformities is very tough. Also the child has his own identity and to abort a child is not so easy to accept for a mother that is why mental maturity with ethical views needed and cope up process with overall situation is very important. References Griffith, S. (2004). The Moral Status of a Human Fetus: A Response to Lee.Christian Bioethics,10(1), 55-62. doi:10.1080/13803600490489898 Isaacs, D. (2003). Moral status of the fetus: Fetal rights or maternal autonomy?.J Paediatr Child Health,39(1), 58-59. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00088.x