Christian view on the human person’s nature stresses the uniqueness and intrinsic value of every human being. Each person is unique and irreplaceable — humans are not interchangeable tokens or computer programs (Ware, 2021). Therefore, in Christian understanding, every human person is infinitely valuable due to the uniqueness of their nature. The concept of dignity and irreplaceable moral value stems from the Jewish-Christian perception of man as an image of God (Mezzaroba & Silveira, 2018). Furthermore, from the Christian standpoint, God has a special love for every human and discerns possibilities that can be realized only by a particular person (Ware, 2021). However, the main question is when such a special human person begins to exist.
Several theories of moral status attempt to solve the problem of personhood and explain which traits define a human person. In this regard, the Christian belief in the uniqueness and infinite value of the human person is compatible with the personhood standard theory. The Christian interpretation of the personhood standard theory is particularly inclusive from the biological perspective. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church considers even a human embryo an unborn child, who must be treated as any other human being (Encyclopedia of Bioethics, n.d.). Consequently, Christianity applies the concepts of intrinsic value and dignity of the human person from the moment of conception. Life is sacred in the Christian paradigm, so every human person receives the highest moral status from the moment of conception when it begins to exist.
Theories Used in Determination of Moral Status
In the case study scenario, people have rather polarized perspectives on the moral status of the human fetus because they utilize different theories to justify their position. For example, Jessica is severely confused due to the conflict between utilitarianism and the personhood standard theory. On the one hand, utilitarianism considers morally right the actions that maximize the amount of happiness and human welfare (McMillan, n.d.). Jessica has hopes for a better socioeconomic position and independence, which will likely be destroyed by the birth of an armless child with Down syndrome. On the other hand, Jessica believes that all life is sacred, which corresponds with the personhood standard theory. Due to this conflict, Jessica is seemingly unable to make an independent decision regarding the fetus’s moral status.
Marco, Jessica’s partner, is leaning towards the utilitarian position, despite his readiness to support whatever decision she makes. He finds it difficult not to view the disabled child as a burden for economic security and future plans. However, Marco also cares about Jessica’s mental health condition since he asks Dr. Wilson to refrain from telling Jessica the scan results. Overall, he does not perceive the fetus as a human being and is more concerned about Jessica and their household’s future.
Aunt Maria follows the firm Christian belief in the sacredness of life, as she perceives the fetus as a human person. Maria starts praying and phoning the priest once she hears about the diagnosis. She looks for comfort in faith; in addition, Maria’s pleas to Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what God intends. Such a stance aligns with the personhood standard theory in its Christian interpretation.
Lastly, Dr. Wilson is seemingly guided by the theory of principles in healthcare. According to McMillan (n.d.), four key principles guide medical professionals in solving moral problems — justice, autonomy, beneficence, and non-malevolence. Dr. Wilson exhibits justice by sharing his professional opinion with Jessica and adheres to autonomy by leaving an ultimate decision to the patient. In addition, he demonstrates beneficence and non-malevolence by informing Jessica about the diagnosis in a gentle manner and laying out all the available options, including abortion. From the Christian standpoint, Dr. Wilson essentially proposes murder; however, his actions are entirely justified from the medical perspective.
Influence of Theories on Recommendations
The theories used by the people in the case study directly influence their recommendations. Jessica is torn apart by the severe conflict between the theories of utilitarianism and the personhood standard. At a glance, her belief in the sacredness of life makes giving birth the only solution. However, the child will likely live in misery due to severe disability. In addition, the birth of a disabled child would have an inevitable negative impact on the family’s living conditions. In these circumstances, Jessica is unable to make a decision without advice.
Marco’s reasoning is guided by utilitarianism since he wants to see Jessica and their family happy. The birth of a severely disabled child might become a burden to the household’s economic security and have unpredictable consequences for family cohesion. As a loving husband, Marco is ready to support Jessica regardless of her decision. However, his utilitarian reasoning, the wish of happiness for the family, will likely cause Marco to support abortion.
Aunt Maria’s advice is guided by the personhood standard theory in its biologically-inclusive Christian interpretation. Since all life is sacred, the fetus should be treated as a human person. Therefore, abortion proposed by Dr. Wilson as a scientifically and medically wise choice is equal to murder from such a standpoint. As such, Maria cannot do anything but recommend Jessica follow through with the pregnancy and fulfill God’s intent.
Finally, Dr. Wilson’s recommendations are based on his dutiful adherence to four principles of ethical medical practice. He believes that Jessica deserves to know all available options, including abortion. In addition, Dr. Wilson provides his patient with an expert opinion in accordance with the principles of beneficence and non-malevolence. Overall, his moral stance is the opposite of the Christian stance of Aunt Maria. However, Dr. Wilson’s reasoning is ethical in the theoretical paradigm that lays the foundation of morality in the medical industry.
Personal Reflection
The case illustrates two conflicting theories that determine the moral status of the human fetus. Personally, I find the theory of principles utilized by Dr. Wilson the most logical and comprehensive in the context of the situation. Unlike the personhood status theory that operates only in a single dimension, the principles theory makes deliberation more systematic. In particular, principles allow assessing whether a certain decision is just, beneficent, non-malevolent, and non-restrictive to the patient.
On the contrary, the personhood standard theory in Christian interpretation appeals only to emotion and disregards the aspect of the common good. Aunt Maria considers a birth of a disabled child in a financially insecure family a God’s intent. In the same logic, one can state that God’s intent was in the early discovery of tragic diagnosis, so Jessica could make a safe abortion and have a healthy child in the future. Overall, in the provided case, the application of the principles theory by Dr. Wilson equipped the patient with the best understanding of the situation and available options.
References
Encyclopedia of Bioethics. (n.d.). Moral status. Encyclopedia.com. Web.
McMillan, J. (n.d.). Moral theory. Web.
Mezzaroba, O., & Silveira, V. O. D. (2018). The principle of the dignity of human person: A reading of the effectiveness of citizenship and human rights through the challenges put forward by globalization.Revista de Investigações Constitucionais, 5, 273-293. Web.
Ware, K. (2021). “In the image and likeness”: The uniqueness of the human person. In C. Chalamet, K. Delikonstantis, J. Getcha & E. Parmentier (Eds.), Theological anthropology, 500 years after Martin Luther (pp. 48-64). Brill.