Introduction
Moral status, or the judgment of whether a being should be treated according to moral and ethical status, is inseparable from medical practice. Healthcare professionals apply moral status theories to determine whether a patient deserves attentive care. In general, one can list five main theories of moral status in healthcare. The theory based on human properties implies that all individuals sharing human features have moral status, including unborn children (Grand Canyon University, 2022). The cognitive properties theory suggests that only those having basic cognitive functions possess a moral status. The sentience theory is more inclusive since it grants a moral status to beings with basic consciousness, such as viable human fetuses (DeGrazia & Millum, 2021). The moral agency theory attributes moral status to beings with a moral agency — an ability to make morally significant decisions. Finally, the relationships-based theory suggests that individuals have moral status if they can be a subject or an object of relationships (Grand Canyon University, 2022). Overall, all five theories introduce exclusion criteria, with human properties theory being the most inclusive in terms of human personhood determination.
In that regard, the theory based on human properties is the most compatible with a Christian view of human nature. Christianity introduced a new perspective of human dignity — the goodness of God’s creation, especially human beings (Autiero, 2020). From this standpoint, the doctrine of imago Dei — God’s image- makes all human life sacred (Grand Canyon University, 2022). Humans have a likeness to God’s character at all stages of their development, from the fetus to old age. In modern-day Western liberal societies, it is assumed that all adult humans, who do not have severe cognitive impairments, have a moral status (Clarke & Savulescu, 2021). From the Christian perspective, moral status is the property of all humans, even those yet unborn. The likeness to God’s image grants intrinsic value and dignity to everyone.
Theories Used to Determine Moral Status of the Fetus
All individuals in the case study scenario apply moral status theories to determine the status of an abnormal fetus. In particular, Jessica believes that all life is sacred, which is compatible with human properties theory. Although the fetus has not developed any arms, Jessica considers it a human being. She cannot hold back tears when Dr. Wilson suggests abortion as a responsible choice under such circumstances. The conflict between her hopes for a better socioeconomic position and her belief in the sacredness of life confuses Jessica.
Marco does not express his views on the fetus’s moral status explicitly. However, he finds that the birth of a severely disabled child would be a barrier to his and Jessica’s economic security and life plans. As such, one can assume that Marco does not consider the fetus a child, a fully-fledged human being. He may be thinking that the fetus is not a human yet, which aligns with the cognitive properties theory.
In contrast, Aunt Maria fully believes in the human properties theory in its Christian sense. She prays with Jessica and phones the priest; in addition, Maria begs Jessica to allow “what God intends,” clearly implying that Jessica must give birth. For Maria, an armless fetus with the potential of having Down syndrome is still a human being created in God’s image. Therefore, she urges Jessica to think about her responsibility as a mother and follow through with the pregnancy.
Lastly, Dr. Wilson reasons from the position of a medical professional and suggests abortion as a wise solution given the situation. Dr. Wilson argues that abortion is reasonable given the quality of life a child born with such a disability would have. The fetus is not a person since it is in the early stages of development (Simkulet, 2022). According to the sentience theory, the fetus in Jessica’s womb has no moral status since it is not viable for a normal life, which justifies abortion.
Theories’ Influence on Recommendations for Action
On the one hand, Jessica shares a fundamental belief in the sacredness of life. On the other hand, she wants a happy life for Marco, herself, and their future family. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that Marco and Dr. Wilson will convince Jessica to abort the fetus since it has not developed into a human being. Jessica may agree that sacrificing so much for a non-sentient fetus is pointless.
Marco and Dr. Wilson, who apply the cognitive properties and sentience theories of moral status, would recommend Jessica have an abortion. Marco would reckon that aborting the pregnancy is the best solution for his and Jessica’s future. Since the fetus has not developed any cognitive functions, Marco would not consider abortion a loss of life. Dr. Wilson would recommend abortion since the fetus is not viable from his perspective. As such, only Aunt Maria would try to object and insist that Jessica must give birth. From the pro-life Christian stance that Aunt Maria takes, abortion would be close to murder.
Conclusion
Despite considering myself a Christian, I do not believe that the human properties theory of moral status and the Christian view of personhood work well in this case. Jessica and Marco are hard workers already; the birth of a severely disabled child would turn their life into a pure struggle for survival. As such, I agree more with the sentience-based theory on this occasion. I believe that aborting an armless fetus, while it probably cannot feel anything, is a merciful solution for everyone. A safe abortion will give Jessica and Marco a chance to have healthy children and a happy family life. In contrast, blind faith in Christian values would only bring them suffering. In the end, one should remember that God’s ways are mysterious. Therefore a timely discovery of fetus abnormality might have been the true God’s intent for Jessica and Marco.
References
Autiero, A. (2020). Human dignity in an ethical sense: Basic considerations. Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society, 6(1), 9-21. Web.
Clarke, S., & Savulescu, J. (2021). Rethinking our assumptions about moral status. In S. Clarke, Zohny. S & J. Savulescu (Eds.), Rethinking moral status (pp. 1-23). Oxford University Press.
DeGrazia, D., & Millum, J. (2021). A theory of bioethics. Cambridge University Press.
Grand Canyon University (Ed.). (2022). Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision-making in health care (2nd ed.).
Simkulet, W. (2022). Ectogenesis and the moral status of the fetus. De Ethica, 7(1), 3-18. Web.