Medical & Health // Case Study on Moral Status
Case Study on Moral Status
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Ethical Theories and Their Influences
The ethical theory of beneficence expressed that “I will use treatment for the benefit of the sick, according to my ability and judgment” (Kerridge, Lowe, & McPhee, 2005, p. 49). Beneficence is conduct aimed at the good and well-being of others. It is doing good works in consideration of the others’ benefit or well-being. However, unlike other principles of ethics which derived from considerations of justice, beneficence is the other way around. Instead, its duty can either be thought of as a duty arising out of professionalism or arising out of other ethical concepts. In this case, Dr. Wilson gently laid out all the possible consequences of his patient’s pregnancy and distinctively informed her for the option of abortion as a responsible medical alternative, considering the quality of life of child would have. His expertise as a doctor and the duty to do good and make sure the well-being of his patient is the main consideration of Dr. Wilson when advised Jessica about abortion. His interventions as health professional for this matter is highly significant to give positive effects on shifting and reducing the grief and depression of pulling the life of a fetus with abnormalities, who might suffer illnesses when born.
The ends justify the means. Whatever will it cost, as long as it will produce better an beneficial outcome, that is moral. Jessica is torn between her conviction about the sanctity of life and yet she knew that having fetal abnormalities is barrier to their socioeconomic security and plans. She is weighing between the importance of life and the benefit of having a secured and convenient life condition. This situation simply calls for the consequentialist theory under utilitarianism. Utilitarianism influence Jessica’s decision in terms of calculating the net benefit or consequence of possible actions. If she will abort the child, would she be happy with the result? Or if she would continue her condition, will it justify her guilt feeling knowing her child will be happy as it will not suffer from any illnesses.
Ethics is a science of morality (Clegg, Kornberger, & Rhodes, 2006). It comprises the highest level of position within normative ethics that includes deontological ethics or the duty ethics. A person had to stand on his feet and take pride of whatever decision he has to make using logic and reasoning. Aunt Maria urged Jessica to continue her pregnancy despite the known fetal abnormalities, let God’s will be done and commit to it by being responsible for the consequence. In this case, the moral value of allowing the pregnancy is determined by the motive, which is to let God’s intent and think the responsibility as a mother of the child, rather than the consequence of having an abnormal child. Aunt Maria urges Jessica to do good because (1) God may bless their child and their way of living in return, (2) of sympathy to the child, and (3) duty as prospect mother.
On one hand, Marco based his decision on theory of casuistry, which does not focus on rules and theories but rather on practical decision-making. Though he will support his wife all the way on her decision, Marco still make up his stand that there is no practical reason to continue his wife’s pregnancy due to the prospects of a disabled child and that will lead to the burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans since they are just new couple. In the theory of casuistry, the particular features of a case should be identified and then make comparisons with other similar cases and experiences in order to come up with the right decision. This theory analyze not only the similar precedents but also the differences of outcome. In this case, casuistry is particularly useful in a discussion of what is the best interests to Jessica and the child. If Jessica will continue to bear the child with abnormalities, she has to face the pain of raising a child with prospect of down syndrome, yet their conscience is clear that they have not ended the life of their own child. On the other hand, if the child is aborted, they are free from any burden of taking care of child with illness, the child will never be a barrier to their socioeconomic security and plans, and the child will be at peace from the world’s trouble.
Conformity with Deontological Ethics
Abortion is regarded by some conservative countries as a sin and an illegal act punishable by laws; while in some countries like China, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, and others, abortion is deemed as legal due to some definite reasons. Conformity with the rule is recommended as morally important because of its consequences, because for some reason it will protect human expectation based upon past decisions, the stability of economic transactions, and the maintenance of order and simplicity in order system. Although many believe that upholding the rule is important, this does not mean that it falls within the moral height as set by the standard of moral rules. If rules made by legislature are precisely in objective reasons for action do not figure in an empirical explanation of judicial decision making that legal rule be also conformed with the bizarre metaphysical postulate of morality, then it is assumed that “what one takes to be one’s moral reasons for action and what actually are one’s moral reasons are clearly different things (Green, 2005, p.1961).”
Hauser, Tonnaerm and Cima, however, stressed that the major view to be considered is “that life is special – sacred – and no one should be able to end one’s life or another’s; life ends, when it ends, naturally (2009, p. 149).” It is significantly noted that what is legal may not be morally upright, and what is in standing of moral rules may not be what legal rule is implementing. As many believed that legal rule be set forth within the moral rules is remained sceptics about morality. Hence, in this incumbent upon Jessica and Marco to take full responsibility of their actions since they are the parents no matter what will be the condition of their child.
References
Clegg, S., Kornberger, M. & Rhodes, C. (2006). Business Ethics as Practice. British Journal of Management, 17: 1-16.
Green, M.S. (2005). Legal Realism as Theory of Law. William & Mary Law Review, 46, 1915-2000.
Hauser, M. Tonnaerm, F. and Cima, M. (2009). When Moral Intuitions Are Immune to the Law: A Case Study of Euthanasia and the Act-Omission Distinction in The Netherlands. Journal of Cognition and Culture, 9 (2009): 149–169.
Kerridge, I., Lowe, M., & McPhee, J. (2005). Ethics and law for the health professions. Leichardt, NSW: Federation Press, pp. 49-52.
References
Kerridge, I., Lowe, M., & McPhee, J. (2005). Ethics and law for the health professions. Leichardt, NSW: Federation Press, pp. 49-52.
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