Posted: November 1st, 2023

Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City

Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the United States for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant.
Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted, and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome.
Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud.
Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears.
Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother.

Topic 2: Optional Study Materials
Human Dignity: A First Principle
“Human Dignity: A First Principle,” by Mitchell, from Ethics & Medicine (2014).
https://search-proquest-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/docview/1610748447/fulltextPDF/FC4B7FE8C99D4F60PQ/3?accountid=7374

The Dilemma of Prenatal Screening
“The Dilemma of Prenatal Screening,” by Best, from Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics (2018).
https://link-galegroup-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A544829324/AONE?u=canyonuniv&sid=AONE&xid=ea53e4d8

Abortion Opposing Viewpoints
“Abortion Opposing Viewpoints” from the Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection (2018).
https://link-galegroup-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/PC3010999336/OVIC?u=canyonuniv&sid=OVIC&xid=3aea90e5

The Feminist Case Against Abortion
“The Feminist Case Against Abortion,” by Foster, from The Human Life Review (2017).
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLAn4291577&site=ehost-live&scope=site

The Metaphysical Status of the Embryo: Some Arguments Revisited
“The Metaphysical Status of the Embryo: Some Arguments Revisited,” by Oderberg, from Journal of Applied Philosophy (2008).
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=34805632&site=ehost-live&scope=site

A Christian Philosopher’s View of Recent Directions in the Abortion Debate
“A Christian Philosopher’s View of Recent Directions in the Abortion Debate,” by Lee, from Christian Bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality (2004).
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a2h&AN=15219284&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Moral Status and the Margins of Human Life
“Moral Status and the Margins of Human Life,” by Lee, from the American Journal of Jurisprudence (2015).
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ofs&AN=103605188&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Fetal Abnormality: A Complex Medical Ethics Case
Introduction
The case study presented involves a difficult prenatal diagnosis that raises challenging medical ethics questions. Jessica faces a decision regarding continuing her pregnancy in light of abnormalities found in her fetus. Her situation illustrates how cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors intersect with clinical considerations in such cases. A review of optional study materials sheds light on philosophical perspectives and debates relevant to Jessica’s dilemma.
Case Study Analysis
Jessica learns at four months that her fetus has not developed arms and has a 25% chance of Down syndrome (Best, 2018). As immigrants without prior prenatal care due to cost, she and Marco receive this news from Dr. Wilson (Mitchell, 2014). Marco wishes to delay informing Jessica, but Dr. Wilson insists on full disclosure and discussion of all options, including abortion.
Jessica’s reaction of distress upon hearing suggests her values align more with Aunt Maria’s view of the pregnancy as God’s will (Foster, 2017). However, Dr. Wilson emphasizes potential burdens and barriers to the family’s plans, favoring “science” over cultural/religious factors (Oderberg, 2008). Both perspectives merit consideration in respecting patient autonomy and well-being (Lee, 2004; 2015). Compassion is needed as reasonable people can disagree on such complex issues with no clear consensus (Lee, 2015).
Optional Study Materials Analysis
The sources examine philosophical arguments around when human life begins and the moral status of embryos (Oderberg, 2008; Lee, 2004; 2015). They also discuss the ethics of prenatal screening and decisions it enables regarding life with abnormalities (Best, 2018). Presenting opposing viewpoints on abortion recognizes diverse, nuanced stances on this controversial issue (Opposing Viewpoints, 2018).
Conclusion

Jessica’s case highlights how prenatal diagnoses can challenge personal values and life plans. Further respectful discussion of perspectives represented in the optional materials may aid in thoughtfully navigating such dilemmas at the intersection of medicine, ethics, and law. Overall, empathy and compassion for all involved seem most needed in situations with no simple resolution.

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