Ethical Dilemma: Child Born Prematurely At 26 Weeks (Essay Sample)

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Ethical dilemma: medical case
The medical case is about a child born prematurely at 26 weeks and few days, and the survival rate is low. Additionally, the child may survive but due to some issues such as lungs not developing as expected, limbs not growing to their full capacity and so on. A dilemma starts on whether the infant should be allowed to live or his life should be ended to spare both the child and the parents the agony of raising a child who cannot function independently mentally or physically. Arriving at the right decision is a challenge, and for this reason, the three ethical theories which include the Emanuel Kant, Utilitarian, and Virtue ethics theory were used to help in settling the matter.
Kant suggested that by being human, we have a rational duty towards each other (Misselbrook 211). He said all people are worthy and should not be used as mere means but also as their ends. For this reason, he objected the destroying of life for any reason, and hence the premature baby should be given a chance to live. On the other end, Utilitarian theory suggests that moral decisions should be made towards the direction that would yield more benefits (Mandal 7). The benefits should be the ones desired by most people, and for this case, if sparing the life of the baby would increase joy to parents and itself in future it would be worth. The last is the virtue ethics theory which suggested that focuses decision making on the consequences following an action (Gardiner 300). For instance, if keeping the baby alive will lead to cases such as mental impairment and dissatisfaction to the parent then the infant should not leave. But also, is the infant survival even with the mental condition will not be a bother to the parents the child’s life should be protected by all means.
In conclusion, t...