Emphasis mine.
Would it be o.k. for me to add some more information about “fetus in fetu” in which one organism feeds the other organism?
I do not want to appear that I am debating or contradicting your information sources. But I do have a right, according to CAF policy to present different information. And you have a right to continue discussing information from your position.
In common terminology, joined twins share common organs. However, this is not the case with “fetus in fetu” which is considered a parasite. In general, parasitism does not refer to the same organisms. Parasitism does refer to an intimate association between organisms of two or more kinds: especially one in which a parasite obtains benefits from a host which it usually injures. (
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition)
The mass of cells (like a tumor) which in very rare instances can be enveloped within a human fetus is often referred to as a twin fetus; however, it cannot be considered the same as the true human fetus which serves as its host.
“while a
fetus in fetu can share select
morphological features with a normal fetus, it has no prospect of any life outside of the host twin.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetus_in_fetu#Parasitic_twin_theory
This same link explains why the term “
parasite twin” is scientifically different than the common usage of a human twin. There are major organs found in human parents (DNA) which are not present in the parasite feeding off its host.
“However, without the gestational conditions
in utero with the
amnion and
placenta, a
fetus in fetu can develop into, at best, an especially well
differentiated teratoma; or, at worst, a high-grade
metastatic teratocarcinoma.
In terms of physical maturation, its organs have a working blood supply from the host, but all cases of fetus in fetu present critical defects, such as no functional brain, heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or urinary tract.”
Additional information from this link.
"fetus in fetu can be considered alive, but only in the sense that its component tissues have not yet died or been eliminated. Thus, the life of a
fetus in fetu is akin to that of a
tumor in that its cells remain viable by way of normal metabolic activity."
