Twin fetuses had Down syndrome

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Reference no: EM133997054

Scenario

Mrs. Lois Bishop learned she was pregnant with twin fetuses at the same time she learned that one of the twin fetuses had Down syndrome. "There's no question," she said, "I want to have an abortion. I had the tests done in the first place because I want to have a healthy child. I knew there was a chance that I would have to have an abortion, so I'm prepared for it." Her obstetrician, Dr. Georgia Savano, nodded. "I understand that," she said. "You are certainly within your rights to ask for an abortion, and I can arrange for you to have one. But there is another possibility, an experimental one, that you might want to consider as an option." The possibility consisted of the destruction of the fetus with Down syndrome while continuing the pregnancy for the other fetus. In the end, this is what Mrs. Bishop chose. A long, thin needle was inserted through Mrs. Bishop's abdomen and into the heart of the fetus, and a solution was injected into the fetal heart. Although there was a risk Mrs. Bishop would have a miscarriage, she did not. The surviving fetus continued to develop. Mrs. Bishop had a healthy delivery. Dr. Savano was criticized by some physicians as "misusing medicine," but she rejects such charges. Mrs. Bishop also has no regrets, for if the procedure had not been performed, she would have been forced to have an abortion and destroy both twin fetuses.

1. Is Lois's behavior morally right or wrong according to utilitarianism? Be sure to fully explain the factors utilitarians consider, and explain how a utilitarian reaches their moral judgment.

2. Is Lois's behavior morally right or wrong according to Kant's ethics? Be sure to fully explain the factors Kantians consider, and explain how a Kantian reaches their moral judgment.

Reference no: EM133997054

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