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Holly3278
Guest
Hey everyone. What sort of treatment would be morally acceptable for conjoined twins where both would die if the other was not killed?
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prstoessel
Guest
The only kind of treatment morally acceptable is what respects the lives of both. Who would make the decision of which person to kill? Since the two are living in complete symbiance with each other, but still separate persons, I’d say all one could do is treat both to the best of modern medicine’s ability.
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Joe_5859
Guest
I think this is a question that is really dificult to answer generally. Every set of conjoined twins seems to be a little bit different. Certainly, it would not be permissible to directly kill one of the twins. It’s something the parents definitely need to discern with the help of medical professionals and the consultation of their priest.
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Waiting
Guest
This has happened a number of times. With the parents’ consent, the surgeon does what he can to help both. In some cases one cannot be helped. It may be necessary for the surgeon, in disjoining them, to leave one twin without an essential organ. He doesn’t intentionally kill either twin.Hey everyone. What sort of treatment would be morally acceptable for conjoined twins where both would die if the other was not killed?
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SonCatcher
Guest
I understand the hypothetical situation to be:
Radical surgery can save one so it is permissible for them to operate to save the one. The “choice” is not random but a medical decision on who is most likely to survive the surgery. They work to save the twin they can and the fact that the other dies in this effort is an unavoidable outcome even though it is not sought.
The situation is not unlike current proper handling of an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors may surgically remove a damaged fallopian tube that contains the baby in order to save the mother. The death of the baby is not sought but is an unavoidable outcome of the surgical procedure to save the mother’s life.
- both conjoined twins will die if not separated
- due to the particular sharing of organs or some other complication, it is not possible for both to survive separation
Radical surgery can save one so it is permissible for them to operate to save the one. The “choice” is not random but a medical decision on who is most likely to survive the surgery. They work to save the twin they can and the fact that the other dies in this effort is an unavoidable outcome even though it is not sought.
The situation is not unlike current proper handling of an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors may surgically remove a damaged fallopian tube that contains the baby in order to save the mother. The death of the baby is not sought but is an unavoidable outcome of the surgical procedure to save the mother’s life.
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Holly3278
Guest
Okay, I was just wondering. Does anyone on here have any statistics as to how many twins who are born conjoined require separation?I understand the hypothetical situation to be:
Certainly this is a serious situation. The doctors have 2 patients and must treat them individually. They are both dying.
- both conjoined twins will die if not separated
- due to the particular sharing of organs or some other complication, it is not possible for both to survive separation
Radical surgery can save one so it is permissible for them to operate to save the one. The “choice” is not random but a medical decision on who is most likely to survive the surgery. They work to save the twin they can and the fact that the other dies in this effort is an unavoidable outcome even though it is not sought.
The situation is not unlike current proper handling of an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors may surgically remove a damaged fallopian tube that contains the baby in order to save the mother. The death of the baby is not sought but is an unavoidable outcome of the surgical procedure to save the mother’s life.
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SonCatcher
Guest
I presume you mean among those who cannot be safely separated, how man eventually face a medical crisis where they cannot remain conjoined.Okay, I was just wondering. Does anyone on here have any statistics as to how many twins who are born conjoined require separation?
I have no idea. Most conjoined twins can be safely separated and are as soon as is possible for their situation. The famed “Siamese Twins” would have been separated before 6 months of age if they had been born today.
Among those who cannot be safely separated, their doctors try to enable them to life full lives as much as possible together. I think that those who cannot remain conjoined are in the minority even of this group.
As medical knowledge increases, however, the portion of conjoined twins who cannot be safely separated gets smaller and smaller.
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vera_dicere
Guest
I’d wager a good number of conjoined twins are aborted. If 9/10 Downs babies are aborted, then what chance to conjoined twins have? granted, i dont’ have any reliable stats.
As others have said, its a case by case basis, and that secondary effect thing will come into play. Reminds of the case of the child in Iran or Eygpt, I forget where, that had two heads, but one head was parasitic, so they removed said head becaues it was goign to kill the other child, the second head had the rooting reflex, blinked and made facial expressions.
I think all medical intervention needs to be employed to treat both twins, if one dies in the process of focussing on the other, then that is sad, but not an intended killing.
I’m still wondering on if its moral to allow nature to take its course if the twins are both rather unwell and any seperation surgery would end both lives. Perhaps a hospice sort of approach, I mean.
As others have said, its a case by case basis, and that secondary effect thing will come into play. Reminds of the case of the child in Iran or Eygpt, I forget where, that had two heads, but one head was parasitic, so they removed said head becaues it was goign to kill the other child, the second head had the rooting reflex, blinked and made facial expressions.
I think all medical intervention needs to be employed to treat both twins, if one dies in the process of focussing on the other, then that is sad, but not an intended killing.
I’m still wondering on if its moral to allow nature to take its course if the twins are both rather unwell and any seperation surgery would end both lives. Perhaps a hospice sort of approach, I mean.
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hxcCatholic413
Guest
Sounds to me like the Bishop should be involved as well…very tough questionI think this is a question that is really dificult to answer generally. Every set of conjoined twins seems to be a little bit different. Certainly, it would not be permissible to directly kill one of the twins. It’s something the parents definitely need to discern with the help of medical professionals and the consultation of their priest.
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