The dignity of a person implores on agents to make decisions that protect sanctity and sacred position that one holds when making moral choices in a dilemma situation. The human social order recognizes that the personhood of an individual is both existential and relational. Existential implies that the human personhood is due to the inherent and essential value to human species while the relational views it as a conditional state of value based on societal definition (Bernstein,2015). From a Christian perspective, human dignity encompasses the moral status of a human embryo. As such, using a case study, this paper explores the moral position of human embryo and its dignity. The paper explores different theories used by those involved to make moral decisions.
Christian ethical perspective of persons is that life begins at conception and an embryo has a certain standing before God. As such, the embryo should have a special standing before human beings. The creation of human being shows that he is a living being with the breath from God. Imperatively, the creation of the being establishes their inherent human dignity. The human dignity possessed by the embryo constitutes its intrinsic value and the moral status of the person. As such, a person becomes a living being from the embryo and has a moral standing to be treated like other people in society.
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The Christian view of nature of human persons is compatible with the moral agency theory compared to other theoretical perspectives of moral status. Moral agency implores on Christian persons to protect beings that do not have the capacity to make moral choices or decisions. As such, Christians should assess if the human dignity of an embryo has intrinsic value of being and protect it from any potential harm (Bernstein, 2015). While the embryo has limited rationality, it still has a moral standing as a being before God and so human beings must give it the intrinsic value and dignity that it deserves.
Theories being Used
The diagnostics on the fetus showed fetal deformities and the presence of Down syndrome condition. As such, the couple has to make a decision on whether Jessica’s pregnancy should be terminated or be kept. Jessica, Marco, and Maria as well as Dr. Wilson use different theories in the determination of the moral status of the fetus. Jessica and Marco consider a host of issues in relation to the fetus based on the financial burden and the future of the child. Jessica and Marco believe that life is sacred and valuable. Therefore, they have a moral duty to do what is right and protect life because of the inherent dignity. Jessica’s belief that life is valuable is a moral status related to the moral agency theory and based on an object that is alive. Jessica has the choice to keep the pregnancy because she believes that life is sacred and valuable (Bernstein, 2015).
Marco also understands the financial burden of raising a child with the conditions diagnosed but not certain of the possibility of it having Down syndrome. The moral agency theory arises in that he believes that he has a duty to protect the life of the fetus; irrespective of the potential disabilities that it may possess. Marco refers to the fetus at this stage as not possessing moral status based on the theory of moral agency, theoretical perspective of consciousness and the theory of sentience. The moral agency theory is categorical that a moral agent should have the capacity to make judgment on whether something is good or bad, and right or wrong (Jones, 2015). Further, it implores on the evaluation of intentions; especially if they can be morally judged. Imperatively, fetuses do not possess rationality or sentience which entails feeling pressure or pain until it is 28 weeks. The case study shows that the fetus is not 28 weeks old and above. Therefore, Marco may engage Jessica concerning the termination of the fetus based on sentience theory and agency perspective in relation to life’s value and scientific perspective and not on the basis of the financial burden.
On her part, Maria does not contemplate the termination of the fetus because she views the moral status of the child based on the relationship theory where Jessica as the mother has a responsibility to protect the child. The theory of moral agency based on relationships asserts that a person should respect the rights of another due to the relationship that they have. Marco is willing to support any decision that Jessica makes because of the relationship that he has with her while Maria insists that due to the relationship between the fetus and the mother, it should be terminated.
On his part, Dr. Wilson bases his determination of the moral status of the fetus on sentience theory and the theory of cognitive properties. Cognitive properties assert that one can only attain moral status if they possess rationality and a certain level of awareness that the fetus lacks in this case (Jones, 2015). Therefore, based on these grounds, the doctor feels that Jessica should terminate the fetus since it lacks moral status and it is deformed with the possibility of suffering from Down syndrome.
Determination of the recommended action
These theories determine the recommendations of each party in this case study where Jessica’s position is conflicted because of the different theories that they are considering with her husband. Maria’s decision is based on the moral agency and relationship theories where she implores on the mother to protect the fetus because of the relationship that she has and the inability of the child to make moral decisions and judgment. Dr. Wilson believes in scientific solutions and thus believes that the fetus does not have any moral status and should be terminated (Jones, 2015). Marco’s recommended actions are embedded on two theoretical perspectives; moral agency and relationship models. As such, he believes that any decision that Jessica makes will be appropriate and he shall support it.
Theory in agreement
I agree with the theory of mora agency where an individual should make decisions based on their impact and their beliefs. In this case, Jessica believes that life is sacred and valuable from God. Secondly, she has a responsibility to protect the fetus from harm; irrespective of its conditions until it is born. Therefore, the moral agency affects my recommendation since life is sacred and the fetus should be protected because of its inability to make decisions. Terminating the pregnancy is wrong because it amounts to killing or abortion (Bernstein,2015). This should be allowed to occur in the situation since Marco and Maria are willing and ready to provide support. Jessica also understands that killing or termination of the fetus is wrong.
References
Bernstein, M. H. (2015). The moral equality of humans and animals . Berlin: Springer.
Jones, D. A. (2015). Human Dignity in Healthcare: A Virtue Ethics Approach.
The New Bioethics , Vol.21, No.1, pp.87-97. DOI: 10.1179/2050287715Z.00000000059
