PHIL 434 Week 3 Scenario and Reflection Essay Template
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West Coast University, Ontario *
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Philosophy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Week 3 Scenario and Reflection Essay
Breanna Olivares
West Coast University
PHIL 434: Medical Ethics and Issues
Professor Crook
November 18, 2023
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Week 3 Scenario and Reflection Essay
Down syndrome, which is a chromosomal condition that is widely recognized and prevalent genetic disorder that affects individuals in some aspects of their life (Akhtar 2023). A British physician named John Down was the first to identify this syndrome in 1866. Down syndrome is characterized by the presence of an extra copy of Chromosome 21 (Akhtar 2023). With this copy it alters the course of development and causes a range of physical and intellectual challenges. People with Down syndrome have distinct features, they have almond shaped eyes, a flattened face and they are typical shorter (Akhtar 2023). There are also some cognitive abilities, with intellectual disabilities that can range from mild to moderate. Despite the challenges they may face. People with Down syndrome can often live fulfilling lives and contribute to their communities. I am for Prenatal testing for Down Syndrome. Prenatal Testing is a valuable tool that is used throughout our healthcare system. By doing this test which is by simply doing a quick blood draw that will not cause any harm, it allows parents to know information about their unborn child (Dr. Williams, 5). With this information it allows parents to make a decision regarding their child’s future and gives them time to prepare and learn how to parent these children. With early detection it allows this parent the opportunity for the proper medical care and support, giving the parents all the resources, they will need as well and even a support network as well. Along with this, it gives the parents the power to make choices that are best for them. With this testing it allows parents to have a plan before the birth of the child, they can begin to collect all the resources they will need beforehand. The option I found the most ethical is they are both right. It is a simple blood test, and it is ethical in and of itself, but it should be considered that there are ramifications of making this
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test universally available (Dr. Williams and Dr. Garcia 5/8). At the same time, we must consider the message that is being sent about Down syndrome since parents do abort their child because of that. At the end of the day, it is the parents’ choice of whether they want to do the testing or not. I would say care ethics would fit best for this. It is a philosophical framework that colds a particular relevance when we consider any individual with Down syndrome. With the principle of empathy, compassion, care ethics emphasizes the importance of relationships and the moral responsibility that tends to the needs of others (Pettersen 2011). Care ethics has a nurturing supportive environment that can recognize and celebrate the unique qualities and the capability of individuals with down syndrome. Care ethics focuses on the quality of relationships, that emphasizes the well-being of a person instead of addressing the medical or cognitive challenges one might face (Pettersen 2011). I believe everyone has the right to pick what is best for them and for their child. Personally, I wanted to know, but that is because I wanted to be prepared , I didn’t want to not be prepared , if that was the case for my son, I wanted the resources before he was born instead of trying to get everything already after he was born.
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References
Akhtar F, Bokhari SRA. Down Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526016/
Pence, G. (2021). Medical ethics: Accounts of ground-breaking cases
(9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
Pettersen T. (2011). The ethics of care: normative structures and empirical implications.
Health care analysis : HCA : journal of health philosophy and policy,
19(1), 51–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10728-010-0163-7
Tosh, N. (n.d.-a). Annual ethics symposium: Evolving ethics: Debating prenatal testing
[Video]. Canvas@WCU. https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/
Tosh, N. (n.d.-b). Week 3: Eugenics and human genetics - presentation
[Video]. Canvas@WCU.
https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/