Fetal Abnormality

Abortion should not be considered based on Fetal Abnormality

The Christian View of the Nature of Human Persons, the Theory of Moral Status it is compatible with, and how this is related to the Intrinsic Human Value and Dignity

From the Christian perspective, theologians are said to maintain their stand on the role that human beings have in respecting and taking care of God’s creation (Voster, 2011). In regards to the human nature, Sutton and Schimdly (2016) refer to the book of Jeremiah 1:5 where God informs every person that before He forms any human being in the womb, He already knows the individual He is creating and He sets him/her apart from other people. Therefore, Sutton and Schimdly (2016) point out that human nature has some significant value in the womb and it is formed in the womb. In support of Sutton and Schimdly (2016), Vorster (2011) employs the Christian perspective to assert that human nature has a life that is comes from God and this makes human nature or human beings different from animals. In light of this, people are required to respect and take care of the unborn baby regardless of its stage of development (Sutton and Schimdly, 2016; Vorster, 2011).

Genesis 2:7 is quoted informing that God formed a human being (man) from the dust in the ground and then breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils (Vorster, 2011). The verse is interpreted to inform that God’s life is in human beings making human nature have a unique quality of life that is from God Himself and it comes with certain divine gifts (Vorster, 2011). Deontological ethical theory regards that as the foundation for the principles of human value and dignity (Vorster, 2011).

The theories being used by Dr. Wilson, Marco, Jessica, and Maria

Human rights protect people’s individual interests (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). When children are born, they have a right to have a healthy life (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). In other words, a person can have an interest of not being born if the life he/she is to live is not worth it (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). Feinberg’s theory supports the notion that it is moral to bring a child to life when at minimum his/her conditions of wellbeing are guaranteed (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). Otherwise, failing to do so is wronging the child (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). In this regard, Dr. Wilson can be said to be using Feinberg’s theory to guide Jessica to consider aborting the fetus.

Marco is concerned with parental responsibility because he finds that the child will demand a lot of care from them as parents, they might not be able to meet it fully, and this would not be fair to the child (Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). Nevertheless, his decision to support his wife’s displays virtuous ethical theory where Marco allows himself to have the opportunity to learn new behaviors such as being patient, compassion, and others that can improve his character as a husband to now a concerned wife and as a parent to be (Manninen, 2015).

Jessica is convicted that human life is sacred and according to United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2019), she is using biological theories to determine if abortion is right. Biological theories agree that a womb carries some matter that develops to become a human being or a womb is where God forms a human being who has a destiny (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019).

Maria on the other hand can be said to be using deontological ethical theory that supports that every human being is different from another one based on the value and divine gifts that God gives each one of them. This is illustrated when Maria guides Jessica to allow God’s Will to take place. Moreover, Maria pleads with Jessica to consider her role in respecting and taking care of the human life God has created/formed in her womb (Sutton and Schimdly, 2016; Vorster, 2011). 

How the Theories used determine or influence each of their recommendations for action

Feinberg’s theory makes Dr. Wilson to hold the perception that the society has no room for the disabled people and when they are born, they are unlikely to find supportive structures to enable them live a healthy life (Manninen, 2015; Steinbock and McClamrock, 1994). Therefore, abortion is the best option that pregnant women should consider.

Marco acknowledges that having a disabled child is bringing unexpected change in the family and virtual ethics theory enables him to develop new behaviors of supporting his wife’s decisions and encouraging her to deal with the difficulties she is facing. More so, Marco is being prepared to learn new behaviors of taking care of a disabled child. Therefore, virtual ethical theory is helping Marco become a supportive husband and a father to be (Manninen, 2015).

The biological theories are influencing Jessica’s actions by making her fear to terminate a life that is growing in her womb. A human life that God has put in her and has a purpose in life and on this basis, Jessica acknowledges that she is obligated to respect and take care of what God has formed in her womb (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019).

Deontological ethical theory enables Maria to appreciate that God has a certain intension for the life that Jessica is carrying in her womb and that Jessica’s role is to take care of it. In fact, Maria uses prayers and tries to contact the priest to enable Jessica make the right decision, which is allowing God’s Will to take place (Vorster, 2011).

Deontological Ethical Theory determines the appropriate Action to take

 Human life is created by God to fulfill a certain purpose on Earth (Sutton and Schimdly, 2016). God is the one that gives a human being the ability to perform and that means disability is not a weakness in performing God’s purpose. Being born without any disability does not guarantee that it cannot occur in the course of life. Some health problems that occur in people at old age cause disability and this means that denying unborn children life based on disability is a wrong act (Manninen, 2015). 

References

Manninen, B. A. (2015). The replaceable fetus: A reflection on abortion and disability. Disability Studies Quarterly, 35(1). Retrieved from http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3239/3831. 

Steinbock, B. and McClamrock, R. (1994). When is Birth unfair to the child? Retrieved from < https://www.albany.edu/~ron/papers/badbirth.html>.

Sutton, G. W. and Schmidly, B. (2016). Christian morality: An interdisciplinary framework for thinking about contemporary moral issues. New York: Wipf and Stock Publishers.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2019). Respect for the unborn human life: The Church’s constant teaching. Retrieved from http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/respect-for-unborn-human-life.cfm. Vorster, J. M. (2011). A Christian ethical perspective on the moral status of the human embryo. Acta Theologica, 31(1)