The Ethics of Conjoined Twin Separation Essay -- Moral Science Biology

The Ethics of Conjoined Twin Separation Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon. In the even that a set should appear where one twin is dependant upon the other, I believe that they should be separated, at minimum, to save the life of one. At the same time, I believe that every set of conjoined twins is its own special case. In this study, I will present the background information on conjoined twinning, give a few case studies, and give the pros and cons of conjoined twin separation. I will end with my own views on the subject. How do these mutations arise? A.A. Zimmerman hypothesizes that, â€Å"[Conjoined twins arise from] an error in blastogenesis due to incomplete fission of a single zygote, resulting in the development of two centers of axial growth instead of one† (Juretschke, 9). Within the first two weeks of embryo development, there is an error in the embryonic development of the blastocyst, composed of about 100 cells. The single, fertilized egg fails to separate properly, as it would to form identical twins (a fertilized egg divides completely during the initial stages of cell differentiation). This failure of division results in two identical, same sex twins, conjoined in some manner. No one is clear on why the cell fails to divide completely. Statistically, the chances of failed egg division resulting in conjoined twins is about one in 250,000, as compared to the one in 200 chance of giving birth to identical twins. Of those conjoined, 40-60% are stillborn, and 35% of those twins that survive birth die within the first 24 hours. Of those one in 250,000 births, there is a 5-25% chance of existing in the world for more than a day. Interestingly, about 70% of those who beat the odds were female, and t... .... 62, pp. 525 – 529. Veenker, Jody. "One Conjoined Twin Dies After Surgical Separation." Christianity Today. http://www.chrisianitytoday.com/ct/2000/145/430.html updated Nov. 6, 2000. http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/amnews/pick_01/prca0305.htm http://www7.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe.UK/11/03/twins.court/index.html. updated: Nov.3, 2000. http://www7.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/10/31/conjoined .twins/index.html. updated: Oct.31, 2000. http://www7.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/UK/11/06/twins.conjoined/. updated: Nov. 7, 2000. http://europe.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/australasia/10/25/health.australia.simese.reut/index. updated: Oct.26, 2000. http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/siamese/siamese.html http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?13@@.ee7a95d. updated: Nov. 18, 2000. http://www.twinstuff.com http://.zygote.swarthmore.edu/cleave4.html