Fetus development

Fetus development is an important activity that mothers in both modern and traditional societies valued as a means of promoting the safety of their newborn children. Significantly, experts from several disciplines have proposed some hypotheses that explain the moral standing of the fetus in a community (Jaworska, & Tannenbaum, 2013). For example, religious perspectives perceive the embryo and fetus as living beings whose lives must be protected despite of physical complications or abnormalities. In contrast, scientific theory advocates terminating the fetus’s life if the mother is in danger or if the fetus can be subjected to unfavorable or abnormal conditions during birth (Jaworska, & Tannenbaum, 2013). In traditional creation theory, fetus, and in particular, with disability do have moral status in the society.

Dr James, Jessica, Maria and Marco have different argument regarding the moral status of the fetus before birth. For instance, Dr James follows the scientific reasoning while elaborating the need for abortion to Jessica (Steinbock, 2011). According to Dr James, even if human beings are right holders of life due to his genetic basis for moral agency, the young born as well must be guaranteed right to live a comfortable lifestyle free from suffering. The medical perspective recommends that in cases where the fetus is not guaranteed comfortable lifestyle after birth due to abnormality or when the life of the mother is at risk, she is free to carry out an abortion (Steinbock, 2011). The potentiality argument states that the fetus are rational and self-aware, thus, qualifying them to posses moral personhood. Conversely, the biological continuity argument states that personhood begins at conception, hence, the embryo, fetus and adults have equal rights in the society regardless of the abnormality. Nevertheless, in law, the term person is not applied to fetus because it does not possess ambiguous, descriptive, legal and normative sense. Therefore, the ontological theory recommends the termination of the life of fetus, a non person, if it threatens the life of mother who is considered a legal person by the Constitution.

Maria and Jessica argument relates to religious theory and biblical perspectives. For instance, the biblical defense fetus moral status is based on the opinion that human being was made in the image and likeness of God (Sumner, 2014). Notably, people must not kill creatures made in image and likeness of God because they are endowed by his grace. Maria argued in relation to the sixth commandment which directs human being not to kill. Notably, the commandment, you shall not murder, implies the intentional termination of the life of innocent people. According to biblical teachings on the status of fetus, God preserves the fundamental rights of humanity in the entire environment (Steinbock, 2011). For instance, God is just and impartial to his creation and do not tolerate forms of discrimination exercised on the basis of wealth, age, sex, social status and race. Jessica is indifferent on which decision to make because she believes the life human being is sacred regardless of the form of lifestyle she is guaranteed in the future.

Similarly, Maria and Marco argue in respect Christian view on the life of the infant and the unborn. For instance, Mario urges Jessica not to carry out an abortion, but instead, take her responsibility as a mother. She advises her to follow the commandment of God as stated in the scripture. The biblical concepts state that human life begins at conception and must be granted the utmost respect (Sumner, 2014). Furthermore, the right-based philosophical argument states that human life must be preserved with great morality. Notably, Jessica, Maria and Marco argument correlate to the theory of parental attachment which explains women’s commitment on the maternal roles. The theory identify the characteristics exhibited by the mothers before birth which include seeking safe passage for self and ensuring that the babies are socially accepted in the system without forms of discrimination (Steinbock, 2011). Furthermore, the theory states that immediately the mother conceive and become aware of her pregnancy, she develop value for her unborn child, thus, giving her considerable pleasure and pride.

The Catholic doctrines states that life begins at conception, hence, the fetus have the right to life. Therefore, an embryo must be treated as a person from the time a woman conceives. Furthermore, believers argue that the development of a person is a process that begins at conception and ends when he or she dies (Steinbock, 2011). Therefore, stages of development must be treated with great respect regardless of disability. However, in a case of Roe v. Wade (1973) the Supreme Court ruled that the fetus is not a person and cannot receive equal treatment to human being. Nevertheless, the judges did not explain the thesis on personhood in relation to fetus. The argument that fetus is a person does not justify the idea of terminating the life of fetus with serious disability (Sumner, 2014). However, Jessica and Marco should accept the James’s pieces of advice because abnormality can result in serious complication. Lastly, philosophers argue that not all human being possess the attributes of personhood. Notably strict psychological regulations of personhood state that fetus with serious abnormality do not belong to moral community. Moreover, abortion can save the unborn child from experiencing life characterized by sufferings.

References

Jaworska, A., & Tannenbaum, J. (2013). The grounds of moral status.

Steinbock, B. (2011). Life before birth: the moral and legal status of embryos and fetuses. Oxford University Press.

Sumner, L. W. (2014). Abortion and moral theory. Princeton University Press.