HEALTHCARE AND MEDICINE 2
Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
The case study revolves around a fetus that before delivery has serious health concerns.
Upon visiting a physician, Jessica and her husband Marco realize that the pregnancy had some
challenges. Dr. Wilson reports to them that the fetus' arms had not developed as expected and
that was a high percentage of the unborn baby to have Down syndrome. Based on his medical
background, Dr. Wilson recommends an abortion. On the other hand, Aunt Maria a relative to
the couple opposes the abortion. Jessica is confused because she wants to be a parent, but at the
same time, she does not a want a situation that might affect their economic prospects. Marco, on
the other hand, was ready to support Jessica in whatever case but he did not desire burdensome
parenthood.
In the case study, many theories emerge. When Dr. Wilson suggests that Jessica allows
an abortion, he bases his argument on the human belongings theory. The theory suggests human
beings are defined through a certain body development position. What this means is that human
beings should have organs that support a humane life (Shrage, 2013). Considerably, this is valid
because the fetus has problems with the limbs and also the chances are that the baby might have
Down syndrome. Jessica, Marco, and Aunty Maria use the relationship theory to advance their
argument. For Jessica she states that she would not like to terminate the pregnancy since she also
wants motherhood; this shows a connection with the unborn baby and also with the husband.
Marco responds that he was ready to support Jessica. In this case, he talks as a parent and even a
father to the unborn child. However, Maria's sentiments highly substantiate the relationship
theory. She indicates that Jessica should consider herself as a mother and what it would mean for
her to kill her baby. Considerably, when she invokes the mother-child connection, she uses
relationship theory. Another unique approach that Maria uses in her argument is the moral value
