Rakestraw and Clark Case Studies.
Case Study #1
The case study regarding the anencephalic fetus is fascinating in that it brings all the readings
together with revelations while tying in your personal beliefs. In theology, cooperation refers to
the moral dilemma of formal or material moral conflict (Wagner, 2008). As her Christian friend, I
would advise her against having an abortion for the simple fact that the church asserts the
moment of conception is when we start to regard the embryo with life and the rights bond to it.
Those that say the early embryo is not an individual need to understand the distinction between
personhood and conception. An individual is not an individual with a developed capacity but
instead one with natural ability regardless of whether they ever develop or not (Carl et al., 1994).
I again would advise against abortion to preserve the sanctity of life.
Cast study #2
Another challenging situation is that the protagonist in the case study is at risk of death if there is
no abortion performed abort. As a Christian, her life does not take precedence over the unborn.
Exodus 21:22-25 If men strive and hurt a woman with child so that her fruit depart from
her, and
yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according to as the woman's
husband will lay upon him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. And
if any mischief follows,
then thou shalt give life for life. A strong statement that has been analyzed in
three of our textbooks. Lex Talionis the law of retribution a life for a life
for God will judge her. I would advise her to go through with it. God forms the unborn. Psalms
139:13 Just as God Formed Adam and Eve in his image.
Case Study #3
The ethical considerations in the infertility case study are whether artificial insemination is
morally acceptable. I think the risk outweighs the benefits, and I would suggest against AID
because, as the Vatican stated, the fidelity of the spouses is in the unity of marriage through one
another, not a 3rd party (Rakestraw, 1994). When the procreative process involves another
person, I believe that is morally unacceptable. There are still other ways to increase fertility. An
adoption could always change.
Case Study #4
The sperm bank's decision to store them due to cancer treatment raises a question about the act
itself. It is the act of freezing sperm morally by Church standards. In the Donum vitae, the
Catholic Church's statement ruled against any process that separates sexual intercourse
(Rakestraw, 1994). I believe the answer is yes; leave it in God's will. As the church described,
any technological procedure that helps in procreation will be an object of technology, but that is
not to say that the process cannot exist without intent procreation. In addition to leaving it in
God's will, I think it is to allow him to freeze his sperm because its within the interpretation that
certain limitations are ok.
Case Study 5#
The case of the elderly dying patient that has the option to take the experimental cancer drug
should take it. I would advise her that I would try the experimental drug because dialysis will
keep her alive long enough to see this treatment through, and there is still hope that it could
cause cancer to go into remission. The question of the financial burden as a means for letting him
die is not acceptable. This is a question concerning euthanasia, and this case study does not meet
that criterion. Instead, it is a concept of letting someone die by omission. There's no moral
difference between letting someone die or killing them (Clark et al., 1994). Therefore the
physician here must convince her to do the experimental trial and dialysis very viable options.
Case Study#6
This is the case of the older adult with dementia that had a heart attack and refused to eat. After a
DNR was put in place in case he had another heart attack, but he did not die, the family decided
to withdraw food and water, and he gradually passed away. The family has the power of attorney
to make these decisions; however, it was morally correct to do so. I do not think it was illegal
because to continue to nourish the life of a patient who otherwise did not want to eat does not
have to restart (Clark et al. 1994). She did the right thing from a Christan ethics perspective to let
him die of his wishes.
References
Clark, D. K., & Rakestraw, R. V. (1994). Readings in Christian ethics. Baker Books.
Carroll, R. (2008). Bible-kjv. Oxford University Press, USA.
Wagner, V. (2008). Biomedical ethics. Greenhaven Press.
