BUCOT

Maria Alizah L.
ETHICS WF 10:00-11:30 am

The Case of Baby Jane Doe

1. Was the parents decision correct?
- As it was not mentioned that the parents are not experiencing lack of financial support,
I believe that their decision is not correct. No matter how hard it is to raise a child, a
parent’s love as well as their duty to fulfill their obligations should be enough to
consider giving their handicapped child a life she deserves, even if other people believe
otherwise.

2. Which of the arguments presented is the most sound and valid? Support your answers.
- For me, who have lived my life disabilities so far, the best argument for me in this case
is the argument from the wrongness of discriminating against handicapped. It is
indeed wrong and unethical to discriminate people who are handicapped, either since
birth or acquired. In this case, I might say that the parents’ decision is wrong because
it seemed like they supported the stereotype treatment of this society to persons with
disabilities. The fact that their own child is being discriminated by themselves, it
disgustedly justify the acts of those people who are fond of discriminating those who
are less capable than them.
- On the other perspective and practical wise, the benefits argument may also be
considered as a good argument. Having family requires many considerations,
resources, and experience to fulfill properly. With that, considering the decision of the
baby Jane Doe’s parents decision, they could have reason behind that. That reason
could be because of practicality or being realistic. It may be because they can’t afford
having a child who’s handicapped or they are concerned about the life ahead for their
child if ever they will continue the treatment. Furthermore, the costs of the treatment
could also be a burden to them and thinking about their future expenses, it led them
to pursue what they have decided.
- I cannot really blame the parents, but after all, they are her parents. And the love of
parents of their child is, nevertheless, greater than any problems or obstacles that they
may face. Also, deciding the fate of someone’s who’s life isn’t decided by the Creator,
it violates thee right of human to life and their right to be given medical treatment in
order to preserve their life no matter what. After all, it is actually the child’s life, and
not her parents’.

3. From your personal viewpoint, how would you decide on the issue of Baby Jane Doe?
- To be honest, if I am a well-off parent who could afford treatments or therapy
regardless of the burden it could bring, I will continue to with the treatment even if
my child would inevitably be handicapped. I’ll prove to people that a child or people
 with disabilities have the right to live just like any normal person. And as a parent, I
don’t have the right to deprive my child to live with a life that she wants. Also, it is the
responsibility and obligation of a parent to provide for his or her child’s needs rather
than running away from it.

4. Whose arguments will you consider in the issue?
- Dr. Keuskamp was someone who believed that baby Jane Doe’s condition was not
hopeless and I confer to his argument. People, especially a parent’s child, should not
always assume that someone who is handicapped is already helpless or hopeless.
Medical treatments are there to give the best solutions. Moreover, it is the parents’
love and care for their child that should dominate the uncomfortable life or the
discrimination that baby Jane Doe will experience, due to her illness. They could do
that by giving her a meaningful life through their unconditional love, even if this society
would discourage them.
- However, I cannot really blame the parents’ decision because of practical reasons as
well as the costs and expenses ahead of them if ever they would continue to support
their child despite her disability.